Effect of post curing temperature on mechanical properties of a flax fiber reinforced epoxy composite

Post curing is responsible of a slight decrease of the matrix tensile properties attributed to the polymer oxidation but cannot explain on its own the evolution of the composite behavior. Interfacial adhesion played a minor role in the composite behavior probably due to its intrinsic weakness. Finally, the flax fabric was highlighted to be the component most sensitive to thermal treatment thus governing the drop in the composite mechanical properties.