Composites of photocured acrylic resins with natural and polymeric fibers

The aim of this work was to examine a new family of composites based on the matrix produced of photocrosslinked resins filled with various types of natural or highly oriented synthetic thermoplastics fibers, and finally to examine the properties of such composites in comparison with samples produced from neat photocured resins. The matrix of the composites was the UV-cured epoxyacrylate or epoxymethacrylate resin. The isotactic polypropylene (iPP) fibre, modified with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, or hemp fibre was used as the reinforcement. An increase in certain mechanical properties was reached in most of the composite materials studied. In case of iPP fibres reinforced composites, a brittle to ductile fracture transition was observed.