RIFT Process Analysis for the Production of Green Composites in Flax Fibers and Bio-Based Epoxy Resin

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Composite Materials Engineering
• Sustainable Manufacturing

Background:

• Composite materials offer lightweight and high-strength properties.
• Growing demand for sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based resins.
• Resin Infusion under Flexible Tool (RIFT) is a viable composite manufacturing process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine optimal process parameters for flax fiber and bio-based epoxy resin composites.
• To develop a numerical model for the RIFT process with green laminates.
• To evaluate the potential and limitations of bio-based resins in RIFT manufacturing.

Main Methods:

• Compressibility tests on flax woven fabrics under vacuum.
• Permeability tests to obtain infusion process data.
• Numerical simulation using PAM-RTM software, validated with vaseline oil.
• Comparative analysis with petroleum-based epoxy systems.

Main Results:

• Established process parameters for flax/bio-epoxy composites.
• Validated a numerical model for RIFT process simulation.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of using bio-based epoxy resins.
• Identified critical aspects and potential of bio-based resins compared to traditional ones.

Conclusions:

• Bio-based epoxy resins show significant potential for sustainable composite manufacturing via RIFT.
• Process parameter optimization is crucial for successful implementation.
• Further research is needed to overcome critical challenges in using bio-based systems.