Abstract
Composite materials based on polymer resins have become a relevant research direction in recent years due to the possibility of improving the characteristics of pure resin by adding reinforcing materials. Among them, nanomaterials, in particular, have been considered a relevant discovery, being able to improve the properties of pure resin in various technical applications. This paper presents the fabrication and testing of such composites based on epoxy bioresin IB2, modified by homogeneous dispersion of 1% and 2% by weight of different reinforcing materials: carbon nanotubes (CNTs), Kevlar fibers and cenospheres. The performance of the obtained composites was evaluated by mechanical tests (tensile and 3-point bending tests), as well as by determining the thermal deflection temperature (HDT testing). The results were compared with the control sample (IB2 resin), in order to highlight the influence of each reinforcement material on the final characteristics of the composite and the advantages and disadvantages of each reinforcement filler. Failure mode and fractographic analysis were performed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.