Dielectric relaxation phenomena in flax fibers composite

In this work, a study of the dynamic dielectric analysis of the unidirectional epoxy composite: flax-fibre-reinforced epoxy (FFRE) was investigated. In this composite, three relaxation processes were identified. The first one is the water dipoles polarization imputed to the presence of polar water molecules in flax fiber. The second relaxation process associated with conductivity occurs as a result of the carriers charges diffusion. As for the third dielectric relaxation associated with the interfacial polarization effect is attributable to the accumulation of charges at the fibers/matrix interface. The analysis of the Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) and the water dipoles polarizations using the Havriliak-Negami model revealed the high adhesion of flax fibers in the matrix. This analysis was supported by the thermal properties using a Differential Scanning Calorimety (DSC).