Desenvolvimento de produtos a partir de compósito com a fibra de curauá (Ananas erectifolius (L. B. Sm.))

Abstract

The research focuses on the use of polymeric waste and the use of vegetable fibers for the production of composites and product development (thermos bottle sealing cap and shoe soles). In this context, curauá fibers are already well known, mainly for their good mechanical properties and synergism with polymer matrices. However, each different cultivation method will result in different lignocellulosic fiber compositions. Thus, it is first necessary to know the composition of the Curauá fiber. In this work, curauá was produced using the micropropagation technique (tissue culture) and the fibers were extracted from its leaves. Then, the characterization was performed in relation to its composition (moisture, ash, extractives, lignin, hemicellulose, holocellulose and cellulose), in addition to the characterizations by infrared spectroscopy with attenuated reflectance (FTIR-ATR), X-ray diffraction (DRX) , thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and evaluation of mechanical properties (tensile strength and elasticity). When comparing the lignocellulosic contents obtained with those presented in other works present in the literature, the curauá fiber produced in vitro presented a higher cellulose content (77.2%) and a low hemicellulose content (6.8%). The fiber also presented a cellulose with high crystallinity, which reflects in good thermal and mechanical properties. Then, a composite was developed from the application of fibers and polypropylene waste, which resulted in a new product with morphological and functional characteristics acceptable by Design. In addition to the product, we show that the micropropagation technique is highly advantageous for the scale production of this fiber, resulting in the production of high quality fibers for application in various composites. We also present the three-dimensional models of soles that can be obtained from curauá fiber composite and natural resins and petroleum-derived