Bio-Polyethylene Composites Based on Sugar Cane and Curauá Fiber: An Experimental Study
Gustavo Henrique de Almeida Barbalho, José Jefferson da Silva Nascimento, Lucineide Balbino da Silva, Ricardo S. Gomez, Daniel Oliveira de Farias, Diego David Silva Diniz, Rosilda Sousa Santos, Maria José de Figueiredo, Antônio Gilson Barbosa de Lima
Abstract
For the purpose of renewable materials applications, Curauá fiber treated with 5% sodium hydroxide was added to high-density biopolyethylene, using an entirely Brazilian raw material of sugarcane ethanol. Polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride was used as a compatibilizer. With the addition of curauá fiber, the crystallinity was reduced, possibly due to interactions in the crystalline matrix. A positive thermal resistance effect was observed for the maximum degradation temperatures of the biocomposites. When curauá fiber was added (5% by weight), the morphology showed interfacial adhesion, greater energy storage and damping capacity. Although curauá fiber additions did not affect the yield strength of high-density bio polyethylene, its fracture toughness improved. With the addition of curauá fiber (5% by weight), the fracture strain was greatly reduced to about 52%, the impact strength was also reduced, suggesting a reinforcing effect. Concomitantly, the modulus and the maximum bending stress, as well as the Shore D hardness of the curauá fiber biocomposites (at 3 and 5% by weight), were improved. Two important aspects of product viability were achieved. First, there was no change in processability and, second, with the addition of small amounts of curauá fiber, there was a gain in the specific properties of the biopolymer. The resulting synergies can help ensure more sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing of automotive products.