PRODUÇÃO E CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE MATERIAIS COMPÓSITOS A PARTIR DE REJEITOS DA INDÚSTRIA PAPELEIRA E SUCROALCOOLEIRA

Abstract

The Plastic wastes produced by paper industries in equipments called hidrapulper, cause financial losses to many businesses and can cause environmental impacts. The objective of this study was to characterize by physical, mechanical, thermal and morphological testing the hidrapulper plastic wastes (RPH, portuguese acronym) and then to use this material as polymer matrix at the composite materials manufacture. Specifically, it was used the RPH mixed with sugar cane bagasse fibers, like reinforcing fillers to obtain a kind of composite. Using a 22 factorial planning war analyzed the factors of the fibers proportion and the applied pressure on the composite samples made in quintuplicate. It was observed that this material supports efficiency high temperatures, can be used in the extrusion process without degradation of the polymeric chains, besides shows a low viscosity material and therefore with excellent fluidity. Analyzing the implemented factorial planning, the application of pressures more than 5 tons was not necessary because higher compaction decreased mechanical and physical strength of the composites at the most tests. Still showed that the incorporation of higher proportions of the composite fibers, make the material with a wood look, most significant results obtained, especially at the compression and impact tests. Due to hygroscopicity of natural fibers, a greater inclusion in composites, increased water absorption in the samples. With the realized work, it was found that the RPH, nowadays considered an environmental problem, can serve as polymer matrix for the formulation of composite materials, replacing thermoplastic resins. It was possible to observe that the material developed in this study can also solve one of the biggest problems facing the wood and its derivatives, the moisture.