Polymeric syntactic foams are composites made from the mixture of Hollow Glass Microspheres (HGM) and polymer matrices. One of their main characteristics is their low density and the production of these composites using a matrix derived from renewable sources potentiates their development without neglecting sustainability. In this paper , the properties of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)/HGM syntactic foams containing 1% and 5% w/w HGM and 5% w/w of a compatibilizer are assessed. The composites were prepared by two processing routes: single screw extruder and twin screw extruder. The morphology and mechanical properties (tensile and impact) of the syntactic foams thus manufactured were ascertained. Morphological analysis indicated that matrix/filler adhesion was poor for all samples and that the best HGM dispersions were obtained in twin screw extruded samples. Mechanical properties were affected by the processing route adopted and by the content of hollow glass microspheres added. Elastic modulus, tensile strength and strain were reduced by 20, 10 and 23%, respectively, in systems processed in a twin screw extruder. Impact strength was the exception, with an increase of more than 300%. Higher contents of hollow glass microspheres led to reductions in mechanical strength of the syntactic foams, varying from 5% for the elastic modulus to 50% for strain.
Exploring new construction materials with low environmental impact leads to innovation in buildings and also to the expansion of environmental sustainability in the construction industry. In this perspective, the thermal insulation and the sound absorption performances of Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) foam were analyzed for potential application in buildings. This material is of plant origin, it is natural, renewable, abundant, and has a low environmental impact. In this research, characterizations were made by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), apparent density, thermogravimetry (TGA and DTG), thermal conductivity, and sound absorption. The SEM analysis revealed a predominantly porous, small, and closed-cell morphology in the vegetable foam. Due to its porosity and lightness, the material has an apparent density similar to other thermal insulating and sound-absorbing materials used commercially. The evaluation of thermogravimetric (TGA/DTG) results demonstrated thermal stability at temperatures that attest to the use of Buriti foam as a building material. Based on the thermal conductivity test, the Buriti foam was characterized as an insulating material comparable to conventional thermal insulation materials and in the same range as other existing thermal insulators of plant origin. Concerning sound absorption, the Buriti foam presented a low performance in the analyzed frequency range, mainly attributed to the absence of open porosity in the material. Therefore, understanding the sound absorption mechanisms of Buriti foam requires further studies exploring additional ways of processing the material.
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