FE Analysis of Low Density Hemp/Epoxy Composites Produced by a New Continuous Process

This paper aims to present a new grid composite structure obtained by stacking hemp fabric layers impregnated by resin using a new continuous process. Both the process feasibility and the mechanical properties of the obtained specimens were investigated in terms of tensile and flexural response. In addition, the effect of the superimposition error of the layers, that can affect the density and the mechanical properties of the produced bio-composites, was studied both experimentally and numerically by finite element models (FEM). The results showed that the process is able to produce low density composites possessing interesting specific mechanical properties with a good level of repeatability