Performance Analysis of Flax/Polypropylene Laminates Manufactured by Vacuum Bagging Prepreg Process

Abstract

The increasing demand for lightweight and sustainable materials in the automotive industry has driven interest in thermoplastic composites reinforced with natural fibers. This study investigates the mechanical behavior of flax fiber-reinforced polypropylene (Flax/PP) laminates, manufactured using a vacuum bagging prepreg process. The laminates were characterized through DSC and TGA analyses, ensuring thermal stability and defining optimal processing conditions. Their mechanical performance was evaluated via uniaxial tensile tests at different fiber orientations (0°, 45°, 90°), highlighting anisotropic behavior. Additionally, hail impact tests were conducted to assess the material’s resistance to localized dynamic loads. To complement the experimental results, finite element simulations were performed to model both tensile behavior and impact resistance, providing insights into the laminate's structural response. The findings support the potential use of Flax/PP composites in lightweight applications, while further studies are needed to validate their suitability for demanding automotive components.