A bio‐based thermoset resin has been synthesized from glycerol reacted with lactic acid oligomers of three different chain lengths (n): 3, 7, and 10. Lactic acid was first reacted with glycerol by direct condensation and the resulting branched molecule was then end‐functionalized with methacrylic anhydride. The resins were characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), by 13C‐NMR spectroscopy to confirm the chemical structure of the resin, and by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) to obtain the thermal properties. The resin flow viscosities were also measured using a rheometer with different stress levels for each temperature used, as this is an important characteristic of resins that are intended to be used as a matrix in composite applications. The resin with a chain length of three had better mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties than the resins with chain lengths of seven and 10. Also, its bio‐based content of 78% and glass transition temperature of 97°C makes this resin comparable to commercial unsaturated polyester resins. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40488.

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The effect of surface treatments, silane and alkali, on regenerated cellulose fibers was studied by using the treated fibers as reinforcement in lactic acid thermoset bioresin. The surface treatments were performed to improve the physico-chemical interactions at the fiber-matrix interface. Tensile, flexural and impact tests were used as indicator of the improvement of the interfacial strength. Furthermore, thermal conductivity, viscoelasticity measurements as well as microscopy images were made to characterize the fiber surface treatments and the effect on adhesion to the matrix. The results showed that silane treatment improved the mechanical properties of the composites as the silane molecule acts as link between the cellulose fiber and the resin (the fiber bonds with siloxane bridge while the resin bonds with organofunctional group of the bi-functional silane molecule) which gives molecular continuity in the interphase of the composite. Porosity volume decreased significantly on silane treatment due to improved interface and interlocking between fiber and matrix. Decrease in water absorption and increase in contact angle confirmed the change in the hydrophilicity of the composites. The storage modulus increased when the reinforcements were treated with silane whereas the damping intensity decreased for the same composites indicating a better adhesion between fiber and matrix on silane treatment. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the thermal stability of the reinforcement altered after treatments. The resin curing was followed using differential scanning calorimetry and the necessity for post-curing was recommended. Finite element analysis was used to predict the thermal behavior of the composites and a non-destructive resonance analysis was performed to ratify the modulus obtained from tensile testing. The changes were also seen on composites reinforced with alkali treated fiber. Microscopy images confirmed the good adhesion between the silane treated fibers and the resin at the interface.

Regenerated cellulose fibers were used to produce thermoset composites from a bio-based thermoset resin synthesized from lactic acid and glycerol. The resin was impregnated into the regenerated cellulose fiber and compression molded at elevated temperature to produce thermoset composites. Different fiber alignments (unidirectional and bidirectional), different reinforcement type (warpknitted and non-woven) and varying fiber loading (65, 70 and 75 wt%) were investigated. The composites were characterized by flexural, tensile and Charpy impact testing and by dynamical mechanical thermal analysis. Water uptake and ageing properties in climate chamber were also characterized for the composites. The results showed that the composites had good mechanical properties. They can be produced with up to 70 wt% fiber content when using unidirectional (UD) and bidirectional fiber (BD) alignment, and with up to 65 wt% fiber content when using the non-woven (NW) reinforcement. The tensile modulus ranged between 11 and 14 GPa for UD composites, 7 and 8.5 GPa for BD composites and 5 and 7.5 GPa for NW composites. The flexural modulus ranged between 10 and 11.5 GPa for UD composites, 5 and 6.5 GPa for BD composites and 5 and 6 GPa for NW composites. The impact strength ranged between 130 and 150 kJ/m 2 for UD composites, 98 and 110 kJ/m 2 for BD composites and 17 and 20 kJ/m 2 for NW composites. The result of the ageing test showed that the mechanical properties of the composites deteriorate with ageing but the addition of styrene somewhat counteracts the degradation, making the composite applicable for indoor use.

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