Resveratrol Trisepoxy-Based High-Performance Resin Formulation and Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composite Processing for Structural Applications

Tactix 742 (a trifunctional aromatic epoxy resin) is a benchmark epoxy monomer elucidating the highest <i>T</i> _g epoxy resin system; however, its manufacturing relies on petroleum-based toxic chemistries. In the realm of sustainability, potential replacement of Tactix 742 with a renewable platform possessing similar thermomechanical properties as well as processing character is critical. The resin system of renewable resveratrol triglycidyl ether with aerograde hardener 4,4-diaminodiphenylsulfone shows an ultrahigh <i>T</i> _<i>g</i> of 324 °C and mechanical properties comparable to the industrially used petro-based tris-(hydroxyl phenyl)-methane epoxy monomer. The results highlight the untapped potential that biobased molecules show in innovating existing high-performance plastic formulations while potentially increasing sustainability potential in the future. Resveratrol triglycidyl ether-4,4-diphenyldisulfone (RTE-DDS) formulation shows <i>T</i> _<i>g</i> , stiffness, strength, and processing behavior similar to that of the industrially used petro-equivalent formulation (T742-DDS) with slightly lower modulus and strength in both tensile and flexural testing. Fracture toughness of the biobased formulation is 61% higher than the petro-based formulation. CFRP manufacturing yields high-quality composite materials tested in compression, interlaminar shear, and in-plane shear modes. Fiber volume content is slightly lower than ideal due to the formulations high viscosity and the choice of vacuum bagging and autoclave manufacturing technique, but low void content of 0.55% ± 0.26 allows for accurate characterization of CFRP laminates. Conclusions are drawn regarding the future potential of resveratrol epoxy monomer in high-performance epoxy CFRPs.