Obtaining and characterizing biodegradable composites from agroenergetic residues

Abstract

The study aimed to produce biodegradable composite materials from sugar cane straw and castor oil-based resin. The fibers were used in two sizes: 0 <fibers ≤4.27mm and 4.27 <fibers <10mm; resin in the proportion of 10%, 15% and 20%. The preparation method was carried out according to NBR 14810-2: 2018, using the compression molding technique at room temperature. Physical assays were carried out: moisture and swelling; mechanical assays: static bending and compression. The morphological assay was evaluated: scanning electron microscopy; and the composite biodegradability assay, over a three-month period. In order to validate the results, the statistic graphic was performed with significance at 5% by the F test, compared to the means by the Scott-knott test of the physical and mechanical treatments. The results showed that the values of the physical assays have met the minimum limits established by the standard, resulting in 8.72% swelling of the composite material. In the mechanical assay, the composite with less fiber and 20% resin was more resistant in the bend test with a capacity of 3.69 N/mm², and in the compression assay with 2.98 N/mm². The morphological analysis showed a wide interaction at the matrix/reinforcement interface. The biodegradation assay showed that over the months the composites started to lose weight, which shows the improvement of the degradation. Therefore, the composite produced has great potential in the market, it is considered biodegradable and of low cost compared to composites produced from synthetic fibers.