Manufacturing method for composites reinforced by hemp fibres

Natural fibres represent an interesting alternative to synthetic ones for many engineering applications of composites, both for their low cost and for environmental sustainability. In particular, hemp fibres highlighted high potential as a reinforcement in composite materials based on polymeric matrix. Laminates of epoxy resin reinforced by hemp fibres were manufactured by adopting low cost technology. In particular, different typologies of composite laminates, starting from unidirectional and bidirectional woven fabrics and loose hemp fibres, were impregnated by infusion process. Successively, the characterization of the laminates was carried out; in particular, permeability values, flexural characteristics, thicknesses and volumetric percentage of reinforcement were evaluated, in order to investigate impregnation, process quality and mechanical properties of the composite materials.