Effect of material and process parameters on the mechanical properties of unidirectional and multidirectional flax/polypropylene composites

Unidirectional (UD) and multidirectional (MD) flax/polypropylene composites were studied. Flax with varying retting degree and boiled flax was used as reinforcement for the UD composites and unmodified and maleic acid anhydride modified polypropylene (MAA-PP) was used as matrix. Multidirectional flax/polypropylene composites were manufactured on laboratory scale and on pilot scale. They were made from needle-punched hybrid flax/PP non-wovens. Normally retted flax as well as boiled flax was used. For the specimens made on pilot scale, a third kind of flax, namely bleached flax was also studied. The influence of different process times and temperatures on the mechanical properties. of the composites was analysed. Generally, the composites have adequate good mechanical properties. The unidirectional composites of boiled flax combined with MAA-PP show the best mechanical properties. Contrary to the UD composites, flax treatment did not lead to the expected property improvements for MD composites. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.