Obtaining and characterization of polymeric composites reinforced with natural fibers

Abstract

Currently, human activities cause impacts on the environment, and the generation of waste is a major concern. Among different residues will be agro-industrial residues, particularly residues of sugarcane bagasse and green coconut shell. Such chemically treated waste was reused as a polymer matrix reinforcement. In this sense, the present work aims to obtain and characterize polymeric composites reinforced with these natural fibers from green sugarcane bagasse and green coconut shell. The natural fibers were obtained by mercerization process, using sodium hydroxide and acetic acid in the optimized concentrations, washed in distilled water, dried, crushed and classified. By injection process, a polymeric composite made of high density polyethylene and different mass concentrations of natural fibers was obtained in a glass production matrix. The product obtained was characterized by a tensile test, verifying that the maximum tension obtained was 24.5 MPa for the concentrations of 3% and 5% (% wt) of natural fibers. In the compressive strength test, the sugarcane fibers showed greater tensile strength of 792.625 Kgf ± 73.873 at 5 (% wt) of fiber used, while for the higher coconut fibers, the tensile strength of 925,000 Kgf ± 12.832 at 3 (% wt) of fiber.