Performance of SiO2-impregnated flax fibre reinforced polymers under wet dry and freeze thaw cycles

Flax fibres are of growing interest as a reinforcing fibre; however, they are susceptible to moisture and have demonstrated poor bond to conventional hydrophobic resins. Although there are multiple approaches to address these issues, research has heavily focused on their short-term performance. In this research program, the performance of flax fibre reinforced polymer (FFRP), manufactured using SiO2-impregnated flax fibre, is assessed for its short-term performance as well as its long-term performance when exposed to wet-dry (WD) and freeze-thaw (FT) cycles. Treated FFRP showed improved bond between the fibre and resin as well as resistance to fibre pull-out. It exhibited a tensile strength of 144 +/- 15 MPa and a tensile modulus of 8.6 +/- 0.35 GPa. When exposed to WD cycles, delamination between the fibre and resin were observed. The onset of statistically significant mechanical damage occurred after four WD cycles, with a final 3% reduction in strength and a 6% reduction in modulus post-exposure. When exposed to FT cycles, FFRP experienced cracking within the fibre, as well as delamination at the interface. The onset of statistically significant mechanical damage occurred after 50 FT cycles, which manifested as a final 5% reduction in tensile strength and 10% reduction in tensile modulus post-exposure. Regardless of treatment, FFRP demonstrated the same damage mechanisms as untreated variants.