The automotive industry is increasingly shifting toward sustainable and high-performance materials to meet stringent environmental regulations and improve vehicle efficiency. This study investigates the fabrication of glass fiberreinforced laminates using a bio-based, fully recyclable epoxy resin matrix through a hot pressing process, enabling scalable mass production. Hence, real-world applications of these materials include door panels, seat backrests, dashboard supports, and underbody shields, demonstrating their feasibility for lightweight, durable, and recyclable automotive components. The novelty of this work lies in optimizing the curing cycle parameters (temperature and curing time) to achieve superior thermo-mechanical properties, evaluated by mean of DMA and TGA, while ensuring strong fiber-matrix adhesion and minimal defects as confirmed by morphological SEM analysis and porosity evaluation. The results contribute to advancing eco-friendly composite materials, bridging the gap between sustainability and industrial applicability in nextgeneration vehicle design, since the chemical recyclability of the laminates was assessed with a recycling process yield of 100%.
Thermomechanical and Chemical Characterization of Bio-Based and Fully-Recyclable Glass Fibers Reinforced Composites Produced Via Hot Pressing
L. Saitta;G. Cicala;C. Tosto;I. Blanco;M. Bucolo;G. Cirrone;
2025-01-01
Abstract
The automotive industry is increasingly shifting toward sustainable and high-performance materials to meet stringent environmental regulations and improve vehicle efficiency. This study investigates the fabrication of glass fiberreinforced laminates using a bio-based, fully recyclable epoxy resin matrix through a hot pressing process, enabling scalable mass production. Hence, real-world applications of these materials include door panels, seat backrests, dashboard supports, and underbody shields, demonstrating their feasibility for lightweight, durable, and recyclable automotive components. The novelty of this work lies in optimizing the curing cycle parameters (temperature and curing time) to achieve superior thermo-mechanical properties, evaluated by mean of DMA and TGA, while ensuring strong fiber-matrix adhesion and minimal defects as confirmed by morphological SEM analysis and porosity evaluation. The results contribute to advancing eco-friendly composite materials, bridging the gap between sustainability and industrial applicability in nextgeneration vehicle design, since the chemical recyclability of the laminates was assessed with a recycling process yield of 100%.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
