Fabrication and mechanical analysis of mimosa tannin and commercial flax fibers biocomposites

Composites were prepared by impregnating commercial nonwoven and unidirectional flax fibers mats, with a mimosa tannin/hexamine resin without addition of NaOH as it was described in previous papers and with improved results. The influence of various parameters was observed: the curing cycle including temperature, time, pressure, the moisture content, and the number of fiber mats the composites were made of. A new two-step method was investigated: full drying of the pre-impregnated mats for storage first and then rehydratation just before pressing. The composites obtained gave good modulus of elasticity and tensile strength in traction as well as a good resistance to water swelling for composites prepared with 50% matrix resin/50% natural fibers. Best results appear to be obtained using a slow curing at low temperature (130 degrees C for 35min) with moisture content of 20% on dry material.