Bamboo fibers composites based on styrene-free soybean-oil thermosets using methacrylates as reactive diluents

The present work aims at preparation of green composites by using bamboo fibers (BFs) as reinforcements and styrene-free soybean-oil based thermosets as matrices. To facilitate the formulation of acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) resins with a low viscosity and high crosslinking density, two methacrylate monomers, i.e., 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate (BDDMA) and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) were respectively used as reactive diluents (RDs) for replacing anticipatory carcinogenic styrene. Results indicated that the crosslinking density of AESO resins was improved and their viscosities were reduced simultaneously. The rheological and curing behaviors of AESO resins incorporated with RDs were investigated. The static and dynamic mechanical performance and thermal properties of bamboo fibers composites with the novel AESO resins were tested.