Obtenção e caracterização do compósito de matriz polimérica à base de resina epóxi reforçado por fibras da palha do milho

Abstract

The search for more ecological alternatives for the production of materials is one of the major areas of discussion on the planet. Studies point to the use of vegetable fibers as reinforcement to replace synthetic fibers in composite materials, as vegetable fibers have numerous advantages, such as: low density, biodegradability, low costs, among others. The objective of the research is to present the technical feasibility of a composite, using corn straw fibers (Zea mays) as reinforcement, and a polymeric matrix based on epoxy resin to be applied to structural elements. For this, the fibers were selected, treated with sodium carbonate and dried. The composites were manufactured by manual lamination with random fiber orientation in percentage formulations of 5, 10 and 20%, with the aim of characterizing them through mechanical tests carried out on uniaxial traction, three-point bending, impact, physical water absorption tests, density and aging, microstructural characterization through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and thermal testing by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Given the results, it proved the technical viability of this composite for all formulations analyzed, presenting a good advantage in relation to its low density, around 1.27 g/cm³. It was demonstrated that the 20% filler composite presented better results in mechanical resistance, especially in impact absorption. And the composite with a 5% filler showed better results in aging tests, and rapid saturation, indicating that the composite can be used in places with high humidity due to its good water resistance of the epoxy matrix. Proving that the developed composite can be used in practice as substitutes for other plant fibers in an efficient and satisfactory way to have structural application mainly in parts with little mechanical stress, such as reservoirs, pipes, shelves, tiles, among others.