INFLUENCE OF VEGETABLE FIBERS IN POLYMERIC COMPOSITES WITH MARBLE AND GRANITE SOLID WASTE LOAD

Abstract

Based on the growing production of both solid waste and vegetable fibers, researchers have analyzed the incorporation of these materials in the manufacture of composites in order to obtain better physical and mechanical properties. Thus, the hand lay-up manufacturing method associated with pressing was used, in which composite materials were made with marble and granite residues in the mass proportions of 5 %, 15 % and 25 % in the 100 Mesh granulometry with vegetable fibers. (sisal and curauá) in a length of 15 mm and with a fixed proportion of 3%. The isophthalic unsaturated polyester resin was used together with the cobalt accelerator (1.5 % v / v) and the MEK-P initiator (1 % v / v). Mineralogical analysis was performed on the residue, in order to identify the crystalline phases of the material, as well as the investigation of the morphology of both the residue and the fibers. The composites were tested according to the standards of physical tests of apparent specific mass (ASTM D 792), water absorption (ASTM D 570) and apparent porosity (ASTM D 2734), in addition to the tensile strength tests (ASTM D 3039). Physical properties increased compared to the full matrix. In relation to mechanical performance, the composite with 5 % RMG / 3 % FS obtained an increase of approximately 33 % and the proportion of 5 % RMG / 3 % FC showed the best performance with an increase of 70 %, both in relation to the full matrix. Therefore, the incorporation of vegetable fibers proved to be viable in the properties of polymeric composites.