Use of raw material obtained from a renewable source in tbhe preparation of phenolic type matrix composites / Utilização de matéria-prima obtida de fonte renovável na preparação de compósitos de matriz tipo fenólica

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2008

RESUMO

In the present work phenolic type matrices were prepered, which were reinforced with lignocellullosic fibers (sisal). The tannin-phenolic and phenol-furfural resins, amid other techniques, were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Model compounds were synthesized specially for the 1H and 13C NMR analysis of phenol-furfural resins. The sisal fibers were chosen as reinforcing agent of the phenol-type thermoset matrices, due to their excellent mechanical properties, as well as the availability of this lignocellulosic material in Brazil, which is currently the greater world-wide producer of these fibers. Several percentages of unmodified and alkali treated (mercerized) fibers (3.0 cm length, randomly distributed) were used. Up to 50% of fibers (w/w), the impact strength of the composites improved with increase in the fiber content. In addition, fibers treated with ionized air and with hydroxymethylated tannin, varying the time exposure of the fibers to the treatments, were used. The tannin-phenolic matrices composites reinforced with 30 % (w/w) of modified sisal fibers (mercerized, treated with ionized air and hydroxymethylated tannin), showed lower impact strength than reinforced with sisal unmodified fibers. Probably, the sisal fibers were partially degraded by these treatments, turning them more fragile mechanically. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the composites reinforced with modified fibers showed better adhesion between fiber and matrix, confirmed by the results obtained from the water absorption experiments, where the composites reinforced with modified sisal fibers absorbed, in general, lesser amounts of water, indicating that the treatments applied in the fiber decreased the hydrophilic character of the fibers. The parameters obtained from the curves of water absorption revealed that the diffusion of water molecules within of the composites follows the Ficks law. Concerning the phenol-furfural resins, to evaluate the effect of the nature of the alkali used in the properties of the related composites, the resins were prepared using KOH and K2CO3 as catalysts, and then used in the preparation of composites reinforced with unmodified sisal fibers (3.0 cm length, 30% w/w, randomly distributed). The SEM images showed that the adhesion in the interface fiber/matrix was improved when KOH is used, instead of K2CO3. This low adhesion between fiber/matrix is probably caused by microcavities located around the fibers and possibly generated by CO2 release when K2CO3 is used in the preparation of the resin. This low adhesion reflects in the property of impact strength, for the composites prepared with KOH the values were superior. Nevertheless, to verify if the resin obtained using KOH can be prepared from softer conditions, a resin was prepared using lower reaction times (1h, instead of 3:15h) and temperature (70 °C, instead of 130 °C). The impact strength of the composite obtained from this resin showed that a material with good properties was obtained. Overall, the results are promising and indicate that composites with good properties can be prepared using high proportion of materials obtained from biomass, i.e., sisal fiber, tannin and furfural.

ASSUNTO(S)

tanino lignocellulosic fibers tannin-phenolic resin fibras lignocelulósicas tannin resina taninofenólica

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