Full factorial experimental design for water absorption and wettability of jute fabric reinforced acrylated epoxidized soybean oil/epoxy biocomposites

Today, composites, which offer advantages for many application areas, cannot be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way when their lifetime is over. This encourages the use of biodegradable resin systems alongside natural fiber reinforcement. In this study, jute fabric reinforced composites are manufactured via vacuum infusion technique using both bio-resin (acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO)) and epoxy resin. The effects of bio-resin ratio (0-100%) and curing temperature (20, 90, and 120°C) on the water absorption and wettability properties of the composites are investigated by experimental and statistical analyses. Moreover, the obtained results are supported by differential scanning calorimetry analysis (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Water absorption and water contact angles of the composites are measured and a full factorial design is adapted to the test results to investigate the effects of bio-resin ratio, curing temperature as well as their interactions. Experimental results show that the increase in the bio-resin ratio increases the water intake, which causes an increase in the water absorption of the samples and a decrease in the water contact angle values. On the other hand, the heat treatment applied during curing helps to limit water absorption in samples, especially when the bio-resin content is above 50%, and this result is supported by higher water contact angle values. In terms of analysis of variance (ANOVA), both variables as well as the combined effects of these variables are found statistically significant in defining the behavior of composites against water.