Development of Flax-Greenpoxy Composite Plate for Structural Retrofitting

In recent years, there has been growing interest in developing more sustainable building materials, including natural fibre-reinforced polymers/plastics (FRP). This study introduces a biocomposite plate made of flax fibre in a greenpoxy matrix, designed as a potentially more sustainable alternative to carbon and glass FRPs for retrofitting structures. Flax fibre was chosen for its high specific strength, and greenpoxy for its bio-based content. Alkali-treated flax fibres were used for enhanced mechanical and moisture absorption properties. Composite plate specimens for testing were fabricated using the hand layup technique. Tensile tests were conducted on samples with varying fibre contents to determine the optimal composition for strength and handling. Tensile and flexural tests were also performed on samples with the treated and untreated fibres to determine the efficacy of the treatment method in enhancing the material's mechanical performance. The alkali treatment enhanced the developed biocomposite's strength and moisture absorption properties. This study highlights the potential of flax-greenpoxy composite as a retrofitting solution to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the built environment.