Natural-fibre-reinforced polyurethane microfoams

Polyurethane-based composites reinforced with woven flax and jute fabrics were prepared with an evenly distributed microvoid foam structure. The relationship between the resin-filled grade and the microvoid content and the density was described. The influence of the type of reinforcing fibre, fibre and microvoid content on the mechanical properties was studied. The investigation results for the static mechanical properties of the composites were described by approximate formulae. It was found that the specific data were only slightly dependent on microvoid content. Increasing the fibre content induces an increase in the shear modulus and impact strength, However, increasing the microvoid content in the matrix results in a decreased shear modulus and impact strength. The woven flax fibre results in composites with better mechanical strength than the woven jute fibre composites. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.