Properties of teh foam-laid formed chopped strand mat reinforcement using natural fibers

In this study a chopped strand mat reinforcement manufactured by the foam-laid forming technology using natural fibers is studied. Using this technology it is possible to produce layered structures in short fiber reinforcements in mass production. In this study flax and wood fiber reinforcements are used to prepare laminates in order to study reinforcement's properties in vacuum infusion, formability and characterize mechanical properties of the laminates. Reinforcements are manufactured in laboratory scale but technology is ready for continuous production process also. The result clearly shows potentiality of the foam-laid forming technology to produce mat type reinforcements for composite applications. Basis weights of manufactured reinforcement are controlled and same weight achieved between the samples. Flax and pine pulp mats are easily handled and set on the mold. Impregnation using vacuum infusion process is relatively slow when compared to glass fiber; leading to resin rich laminates. This may lead to good surface quality but volume fractions and mechanical properties should be improved.