Natural fibers have attracted the interest of researchers and industries due to their specific advantages compared to synthetic fibers. The growing global concern about the environment is encouraging the use of renewable source materials that do not harm nature and come from an alternate source of good economic potential. Thus, the aim of this study is to develop a composite made from rigid polyurethane matrix reinforced with cabuya fiber. The fiber used in this study was recollected from the Ecuadorian Andes. First, the fibers were cleaned, ground, sieved and dried. To improve the boundary matrix-fiber, fibers were subjected to a process of acetylation. Composites were prepared with concentrations by weight of loading fiber: 5%, 10% and 15% and a particle size of 0.025 mm. Second, tensile and flexural tests were performed in order to evaluate the mechanical properties of the materials. In terms of flexural properties, the material formulated with 10 wt% by weight of fiber showed the best results, with an increase of 37.63% and 50.62% in stress at pick and flexural modulus respectively, compared with pure material. While for tensile properties, the composite formulated with 5 wt% presented the best results, with an increase of 18.19% and 35.32% in the stress at peak and Young's modulus respectively. The material with 15% by weight of fiber shows equal or superior mechanical properties to the material made from pure polyurethane. In both mechanical tests, the material formulated with acetylated fiber presented slightly better results compared to the material made from fiber without chemical treatment.

Development of reinforced rigid polyurethane foam composite based on cabuya fiber

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.