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The performance of a novel multilayered armor in which the commonly used plies of aramid fabric layer were replaced by an equal thickness layer of distinct curaua fiber-reinforced composites with epoxy or polyester matrices was assessed. The investigated armor, in addition to its polymeric layer (aramid fabric or curaua composite), was also composed of a front Al 2 O 3 ceramic tile and backed by an aluminum alloy sheet. Ballistic impact tests were performed with actual 7.62 caliber ammunitions. Indentation in a clay witness, simulating human body behind the back layer, attested the efficacy of the curaua-reinforced composite as an armor component. The conventional aramid fabric display a similar indentation as the curaua/polyester composite but was less efficient (deeper indentation) than the curaua/epoxy composite. This advantage is shown to be significant, especially in favor of the lighter and cheaper epoxy composite reinforced with 30 vol pct of curaua fiber, as possible substitute for aramid fabric in multilayered ballistic armor for individual protection. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the mechanism associated with the curaua composite ballistic performance.

Resumo: O uso de fibras naturais como reforçadores para termoplásticos tem despertado interesse crescente, principalmente para termoplásticos reciclados, devido ao baixo custo, utilização de recursos naturais brasileiros disponíveis, além de contribuir para a despoluição ambiental. No presente trabalho foram avaliadas as propriedades térmicas, mecânicas e morfológicas de compósitos de polietileno de alta densidade reciclado (HDPE-r) e fibra de piaçava da Amazônia (Leopoldinia piassaba), tratada e não-tratada, em diferentes proporções (5, 10 e 15% de fibra). O trabalho tem como objetivo a obtenção de compósitos a fim de atender as exigências do mercado como materiais alternativos, visando à fabricação de placas de baixo custo para estruturas sob pequeno esforço. As fibras foram submetidas a tratamento superficial com silano de duas formas: impregnação direta (fibra-ts) e com solução metanólica (fibra-tms). Foi verificado que os compósitos HDPE-r / fibra-ts apresentaram melhor desempenho mecânico que os obtidos com fibra-tms, em função da remoção pelo metanol da fração contendo lignina, componente estrutural da fibra. O aumento da adesão fibra-matriz de HDPE reciclado em compósitos com fibra tratada, conforme observado pelas microfratografias apresentadas, pode explicar este desempenho. A estabilidade térmica dos compósitos foi pouco afetada com a incorporação da fibra tratada. Palavras-chave:Compósitos poliméricos, piaçava, polietileno de alta densidade reciclado. Thermal, Mechanical and Morphological Behavior of Recycled High-Density Polyethylene Reinforced with Piassava FiberAbstract: The use of natural fibers as reinforcement for thermoplastics, especially for recycled thermoplastics, has generated much interest due to their low cost, possibility of environmental protection and use of locally available renewable resources. In this work we evaluate the thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of composites of recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE-r) with treated and untreated piassaba fibers (Leopoldinia piassaba) in different proportions (5, 10 and 15% w/w). The objective of this work is to obtain composites of HDPE-r / piassaba fiber in order to fulfill the needs of the consumer market, aiming at preparing low-cost plates for light duty jobs. Fibers were submitted to superficial treatment with silane in two different ways: direct incorporation and treatment with methanolic solution of the coupling agent. The results show that composites of HDPE with silane-treated-only fiber had better mechanical performance than methanolic solutions of silane; the increase on fiber -polymer matrix interface adhesion, as revealed from morphological analysis, can explain this higher performance. Thermal stability of the composites is not greatly affected with the addition of treated fiber.

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was ␥-irradiated (5-20 kGy) by a 137 Cs source at room temperature in air. The changes in the molecular structure attributed to ␥-irradiation were studied by mechanical testing (flexure and hardness), size-exclusion chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, and both Fourier transform infrared and solution 13 C-NMR spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the influence of the dose of ␥ rays on the fracture behavior of PMMA. The experimental results confirm that the PMMA degradation process involves chain scission. It was also observed that PMMA presents a brittle fracture mechanism and modifications in the color, becoming yellowish. The mechanical property curves show a similar pattern when the ␥-radiation dose increases.

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