Fabricación y caracterización de materiales compuestos de alto rendimiento medioambiental derivados de resinas ecológicas y refuerzos de fibras naturales y estructuras híbridas

Abstract

The concern that has arisen in recent years over the excessive use of oil-based materials has made the development of new materials with low environmental impact imminent, in this context. In this study, eco-friendly compounds were produced with a thermoplastic poly (lactic acid) matrix (PLA)and jute fibers (woven and non-woven) as reinforcement. PLA/jute bio-composites were manufactured by hot-press molding. The effect of the amount of jute fibers reinforcement (in the 30-50 wt. % range) on the tensile and bending properties of bio-composites was analyzed, and the fiber-matrix interaction were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results suggest hot compression moulding is a simple technique to obtain high environmental efficiency biocomposites with high reinforcement loading (up to 50 wt. %). As expected, the tensile properties are directly related to the amount of fiber loading, as well as the directionality that the fibers have in the composite. Mechanical performance is also highly dependent on fiber-matrix interactions. These bio-composites could be attractive as substitutes for conventional composites and/or engineering plastics.