A Study of the Mechanical Properties in Composite Materials with a Dammar Based Hybrid Matrix and Reinforcement from Crushed Shells of Sunflower Seeds

The production of composite materials through the reuse of waste or by-products from the agri-food industry will be a challenge for environmental protection. This study focuses in that direction. In the first stage, composites were made with the hybrid resin matrix (with three major volume proportions of natural Dammar resin and epoxy resin) and the reinforcing from shredded shells of sunflower seeds. Based on the tensile and compressive stresses, the stress-strain and strain-strain diagrams were obtained. The surface area of the rupture was investigated with stereo-microscopic analysis, and the absorption/loss of water was studied with a high precision balance. The vibration behavior was investigated experimentally, determining the damping coefficient and its own frequency. In the second stage, the study of these materials was extended. Sandwich composites were made with the same type of hybrid matrix as in the first stage. The core was made of shredded shells of sunflower seeds and the outer faces of linen fabric. These composites were applied to the bend (in three points), being obtained the force-deformation diagrams. The determined mechanical properties allow the complete or partial realization of these composites of some furniture components or of some equipment used in the field of constructions.

Automated summary

The production of composite materials through the reuse of waste or by-products from the agri-food industry is studied in this research. Different types of composites were made and tested for their mechanical properties, water absorption, and vibration behavior. The results suggest that these composites can be used for furniture components or construction equipment.