Avaliação de um material compósito polimérico bioinspirado reforçado com fibra de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar

Abstract

Inspired by the low density of wood and wood fiber boards, the present study addresses an analysis about the characterization of a bio-inspired polymer composite material, or inspired by nature. This polymeric composite material was manufactured in the laboratory from a mixture of polyurethane resin based on castor oil with different percentages of added sugarcane bagasse fiber (10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%). A comparison of the physical mechanical properties (density, moisture content, swelling in thickness for 24h, water absorption for 24h, traction and flexion) between the bioinspired polymeric composites with the addition of sugarcane bagasse, between different species of natural wood and low density composite panels. The objective of this study was to obtain a polymeric composite material bioinspired in the low density of the woods, manufactured from polyurethane resin based on castor oil, replacing the use of urea-formaldehyde resin, with the addition of sugarcane bagasse as a reinforcement and as a complete replacement for the use of wood particles. The results of the density test configure the material as a low density board. In thickness swelling tests, all materials are within the recommended by the CS 236 standard (1966), presented results below 30%. In the water absorption test it was found that the bioinspired polymeric composites showed an improvement in relation to hydrophilicity in comparison with the agglomerated fiber panels associated with the wood particles. However, the moisture content remained below the recommended range (between 5% and 13%) by the Brazilian Stardard 14810: 2 (2018) for chipboard panels. The composites evaluated presented values of modulus of elasticity lower than that required by the CS 236 standard (1966), and only the percentage of 30% of addition of sugarcane bagasse fiber met the referred norm for the result of rupture modulus. There was no significant decrease in the physical-mechanical properties of bioinspired polymeric composites using castor oil-based polyurethane resin, replacing the urea-formaldehyde adhesive, and sugarcane bagasse fiber to replace wood particles, both substitutions feasible. When taking into account all the parameters evaluated, the percentage that presented the best physical-mechanical properties were the specimens with 30% of addition of sugarcane bagasse fiber.