Bio-Based Resins

Abstract This article provides a general overview of bio-based resins, first examining biological sources for feedstocks of bio-based resin components, followed by a detailed description of five major resin classes (phenolic, furane, unsaturated polyester, epoxy, and benzoxazine resins) and their bio-based alternatives. It also describes the methods used to synthesize and modify the bio-based resins based on the biological feedstock, manufacturing processes, and properties of neat resins in comparison to fiber-reinforced composites. Then, the current work on novel bio-based vinyl ester, acrylic, and bismaleimide resins is highlighted. The article also reviews the work on the use of renewable resources to produce bio-resins with respect to composite applications, because only the development of bio-based resins leads to the production of sustainable green composites.