Polymer composite produced with Brazil nut residues and high impact polystyrene

Abstract

Solid residues from agroindustry often accumulate and cause environmental imbalance. An alternative to this is to use this residue as a reinforcement in polymers. The achievement of this work was to characterize a composite with a polystyrene matrix reinforced with Brazil nut shells residues. The residues were cleaned and ground to then produce the samples via injection molding with the proportions of 0%, 2.5% and 5% of load. The specimens were characterized using mechanical tensile testing and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The mechanical test showed that the composite with 2.5% of filler had greater stiffness and strength was improved by 5%. Thermal analysis showed an increase in the temperature for the beginning of the degradation of the M2.5 composite. The results confirm a potential application in the automotive industry for the polystyrene composite reinforced with Brazil nut shells.

Different rotations in the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene extrusion process and their influence on fracture and mechanical properties

“…In the second deposition step (475 to 600 ºC), this is associated with the end of the degradation of acrylonitrile. It was observed that between ~ 200 ºC and 325 ºC other decompositions occur; however, the reactions involved are volatiles that exist in the ABS [36][37][38], similar observations are also described in the literature [39][40][41][42].…”

Amazon Natural Fibers for Application in Engineering Composites and Sustainable Actions: A Review

“…Thus, in the face of growing environmental concerns and the possibility of depleting oil reserves, natural fibers can be an environmentally friendly alternative, in line with the principles of sustainable development. These materials are known to be renewable and biodegradable, and they have been widely used in various industrial and engineering applications [11][12][13][14][15][16]. According to the annual report of the Discover Natural Fibers Initiative (DNFI), shown in Table 2, in the year 2023, global production of natural fibers was estimated at 31.9 million tons, surpassing the production of the year 2020.…”

“…Another alternative to address the excessive accumulation of plant residues is the utilization of these residues as fillers in polymeric composites and other Eng 2024, 5 conventional engineering materials. Within this context, waste management brings benefits to both organizations and society, promoting the commercialization of these materials and generating income through recycling and sustainability practices [16]. This is highly advantageous, considering that Brazil is currently one of the main producers of various natural fibers, thanks to the great diversity of these materials in the country, especially those originating from the Amazon [34][35][36].…”