Development of composites based on recycled polyethylene/sugarcane bagasse fibers. Issue 4 (24th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Carvalho Neto, Alberto Gomes Vieira; Ganzerli, Thiago Amaral; Cardozo, Adriano Luciano; Fávaro, Silvia Luciana; Pereira, Antonio Guilherme Basso; Girotto, Emerson Marcelo; Radovanovic, Eduardo
• Is Part Of: Polymer composites. Volume 35:Issue 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 768
• Page End: 774
• Publication Date: 2013-10-24
• Subjects: Polymeric composites -- Periodicals; 620.192
• DOI: 10.1002/pc.22720
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8397

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>In this work, sugarcane bagasse fibers were used as filler in composites having recycled high‐density polyethylene (PEr) as matrix. Because of the poor interaction between fibers surface and the PEr, the surface of bagasse was chemically modified. This modification consists of washing with water at 80°C, a mercerization process using sodium hydroxide and acetylation reaction with acetic anhydride. The chemical modification was characterized by Fourier transform infrared–horizontal attenuated total reflectance (FTIR‐HATR) and <sup>13</sup>C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies (NMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The composites were prepared from modified and unmodified fibers into PEr matrix, containing 5, 10, and 20% (w/w) of fiber. The samples were processed by extrusion and molds were prepared by injection process in order to perform mechanical tests. These materials were analyzed by SEM, TGA, and the water uptake was evaluated. Also, their mechanical properties were analyzed. Morphological analysis indicated that the chemical modification of sugarcane bagasse increased the compatibility between matrix and reinforcement. Tensile, flexural, and impact tests showed that the mechanical properties of the composite were improved compared to PEr due to the presence of the fibers. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:768–774, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers</p> </abstract>