Development of hybrid breathing materials for sustainable composite manufacturing

In order to reduce the plastic waste generated from the composite manufacturing process and improve the permeability of commercial breathers in high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, jute/polyester hybrid breathing materials were fabricated by the needle-punched method. The thermogravimetric analysis and the related thermal properties of hybrid breathing materials were carried out to verify the feasibility of materials used in the high-temperature environment. Breathing materials were then exposed to humidity atmosphere and hot press conditions respectively. These conditions were chosen to investigate the effect of moisture on breathing materials and replicate the using conditions of breathers in the composite manufacturing process. The scanning electron microscope was used to observe the morphology characteristics of breathing materials before and after use. The moisture absorption, air permeability and tensile properties of breathing materials were evaluated and compared with the unconditioned specimens. The results showed that hybrid breathing materials were sensitive to moisture due to the hydrophilic groups in jute fiber. The permeability of hybrid breathing materials was higher than commercially available breathers at a similar areal weight. The permeability of breathing materials increased with the increase of porosity. Humidity and hot press processing conditions influenced the permeability due to the change of porosity. The hybrid breathing materials had a higher permeability retention rate. They could be reused at least three times, and their permeability could be maintained above 56% of the original data. Higher jute fiber content resulted in higher tensile strength. The tensile strength of the hybrid breathing material was higher in wet conditions. The reuse of the breathing material led to an increase in tensile strength. Finally, the recycling use of breathing materials as composite reinforcement was proposed.