Reinforced Composites and Methods for Their Manufacture

Abstract

Disclosed herein are, for instance, reinforced composites comprising an airlaid mat comprising a natural fiber component; and a resin dispersed within the airlaid mat; wherein the reinforced composite has a natural fiber volume fraction of 20 vol % to 80 vol %, by volume of the reinforced composite. Also disclosed herein are methods of making reinforced composites. For instance, disclosed herein are methods comprising forming a preform comprising: heating an airlaid mat to a temperature of from 40° C. to 200° C., the airlaid mat comprising a natural fiber component and a binder fiber component; and compressing the airlaid mat at a pressure of from 100 psi to 1200 psi; and impregnating the preform with a resin to form a reinforced composite.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.