ABSTRACT
Abstract This study focused on current drawbacks associated with wet lay-up processes, polyester resin and jute fabrics for jute/polyester based composite applications. Three different processes were studied to address manufacturing drawbacks. The composites are based on a wet lay-up and Quickstep™ (QS) process; combined atmospheric helium plasma, wet lay-up and Quickstep™ (PQS) process; and finally vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) process. A systematic comparison with composites made by wet lay-up was carried out. The optimal QS process cure cycle of 30 min curing time at 95◦C was selected based on flexural and mode-I fracture toughness properties. It was observed that the values of both fracture toughness and flexural strength/modulus factors increased up to a 30 min cure cycle and decreased afterwards. After optimisation, QS was proven to have a positive influence on fracture toughness without sacrificing flexural properties, saving curing time by 50% when compared to wet lay-up. Composites made by vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) provided the best flexural strength and modulus values which was due to highest fiber volume fraction and lowest flexural deflection at break. It also showed a decrease in fracture toughness properties in comparison to wet lay-up and the QS composites. All of these phenomena were due to change in fiber-matrix adhesion after various processing conditions.
