CARACTERIZAÇÃO FÍSICO-MECÂNICA DE BIOCOMPÓSITOS DE AMIDO TERMOPLÁSTICO REFORÇADOS COM FIBRAS DE CURAUÁ FABRICADOS POR TERMOPRENSAGEM

Abstract

DOI: 10.14684/intertech.13.2014.427-431

The demand for new materials that do not harm the environment drives the development of new engineering materials that combine good properties with biodegradability. One such source is starch, assuming thermoplastic characteristics when subjected to physical and chemical changes . This study aimed to develop and characterize starch thermoplastic biocomposites reinforced with different fiber content curauá . The method of manufacture was thermopressing by using glycerin as plasticizer . Tensile tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical behavior , testing of water absorption and thickness swelling for analysis and SEM. The results show that the tensile strength of the material and its elastic modulus increased as the fiber content increases , as well as water absorption and thickness swelling . The results also showed that processing errors resulted in losses of properties in the biocomposites with 10 and 15% fibers.

Index Terms - Absorption, thermoplastic starch, Biocomposites, Characterization, Curaua.