DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL FLAX PREPREG COMPOSITE WITH SOY-BASED POLYURETHANE AND RECYCLED CARBON BLACK FROM WASTE TIRES

HELOISE SAUQUET; CHIACCHIARELLI LEONEL MATIAS; EDU RUIZ

Conferencia; CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMPOSITE MATERIALS; 2024

Canada's program to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 is ambitious and requires significant transformations in manufacturing and transportation sectors. In order to meet this goal, industries must shift from utilizing current petroleum-based materials to adopting more environmentally friendly alternatives that reduce CO2 emissions throughout the entire life cycle, from production to use and disposal. This research focuses on developing a novel composite material composed of renewable resources and recycled particles from waste tires. A soy-based polyurethane was formulated to create a rigid polyurethane matrix system reinforced with carbon black particles. Recycled carbon black particles from waste tires were incorporated into the bio-sourced polyurethane to enhance mechanical performance, UV degradation resistance, and abrasion resistance. The physico-chemical characterization of the bio-polyurethane was conducted using techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry, FTIR, and electron beam microscopy to study and optimize the resin formulation. The optimized bio-polyurethane was then used to impregnate an unidirectional flax fabric, resulting in a prepreg material named Green-Prepreg. Mechanical characterization of the newly produced GreenPrepreg included tension testing, flexural strength, interlaminar shear, and dynamic mechanical analyses. The thermo-mechanical performance of the Green-Prepreg was finally compared to commercially available products derived from fossil fuels, and a life cycle assessment was conducted for comprehensive comparison.