Comportamento térmico de compósito polimérico reforçado com resíduo de Piaçava

Abstract

The use of industrial waste as a raw material in the development of new materials in engineering is a solution for the removal of the solid waste generated, in addition to minimizing the use of natural resources from non-renewable sources. In the process of manufacturing natural fiber brooms, there is a waste of about 40% of the fibers that are used in the process. These fibers remain or go to waste or are burned, and they could be reused for a new use, given that during the process of manufacturing the broom, they do not undergo any kind of chemical modification. In this way, the residue of piaçava is presented as an alternative source of raw material for the production of polymeric composites, aiming, therefore, a solution for the tailings of the factory and the development of a new product with greater added value. In this sense, the objective of the present work is to evaluate the technical feasibility of the use of the residue of Piaçava Amazônica (Leopoldinia piassaba) from the manufacture of brooms in the production of polymer panels with possibilities of use in the civil construction industry. The present research followed the specifications of the norm NBR 15316-2: 2019 by means of the tests of determination of the moisture content, density, swelling and resistance to the static bending. To evaluate the thermal properties of the panel, preliminary tests were carried out using infrared laser thermography technique on the surface of the material, as well as punctual analyzes with a laser thermometer. The composite panel met the normative requirements regarding the physical properties, but its responses to the mechanical characterization did not meet Brazilian standards. In the conductivity tests the material presented similar behavior to the MDF material, however it is concluded that the panel can not be used as an insulating material. According to the results, it was possible to conclude that the residue presents potential to be applied in panels to be specified in constructive activities, but more studies on the mechanical properties should be carried out.