Reinforcement of cellular materials with short fibres: Application to a bio-based cork multi-scale foam

Abstract

A bio-sourced foam, agglomerated cork, was chosen to evaluate the influence of short fibres on the mechanical behaviour of cellular materials. The final material was obtained by mixing cork particles with a thermoset resin. Rigid short fibres were then added before uni-axial compression. Enhancing the foam’s mechanical properties without increasing the density is a current problem in transport industries. In this article, we demonstrate how the addition of short fibres strongly modifies the mechanical behaviour of agglomerated foam materials. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis technique revealed that the glass temperature was greater for reinforced foams and more energy loss by heat in visco-elasticity was also noticed for this material. In quasi-static compression, rigidity was strongly enhanced, causing absorbed energy before densification to increase. Maximal force and displacement before fracture were studied by applying Mode I fracture tests, and both were improved by the addition of short fibres. The mesoscopic and microscopic observations revealed it was linked to fracture me- chanisms, most of which happen inside cork beads for the reinforced cellular material. The properties of agglomerated foams may then be improved and tailored by the addtion of short fibres and make weight saving possible in several industrial applications.