Structural biocomposites from flax—Part I: Effect of bio-technical fibre modification on composite properties

The use of enzymes, chelators and enzyme/chelator systems was explored as an environmentally friendly means of improving the quality of flax fibre for composite applications. A commercial pectinolytic enzyme preparation and Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid (EDTA) were used separately and in combination on a commercial flax fibre. An improvement in fibre cleanliness and separation of the fibre bundles into ultimates was observed. When this fibre was, subsequently, used as reinforcement in an epoxy matrix, improved composite properties were obtained. With the EDTA modified fibre reinforced composites, tensile strength improvements in excess of 50% were recorded.