Abstract
This study aims to evaluate plant fibers that were surface activated with NaOH and corona discharge before incorporating in ortho unsaturated polyester-based fiber composites. It demonstrates the potential use of lignocellulosic particles, especially eucalyptus that presented the higher values for all the mechanical properties analyzed. The corona discharge treatment increased impact strength and tensile strength of the composites, and decreased water absorption. SEM images showed that the surface activation generally improved the interfacial adhesion between fibers and polyester matrix. Corona treatment may depolymerize the lignocellulosic material and smaller fragments may actually help increase the interaction with the polyester.
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Acknowledgments
Authors thank to Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA) for supporting the experimental work, and also thank the financial support granted by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior (CAPES), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG). Thanks also to Fibrasil Indústria e Comércio Ltda. (Lavras/MG, Brazil), PGCTM (UFLA), LME (UFLA) and Brazilian Research Network in Lignocellulosic Composites and Nanocomposites – RELIGAR.
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Mesquita, R.G.A., César, A.A.S., Mendes, R.F. et al. Polyester Composites Reinforced with Corona-Treated Fibers from Pine, Eucalyptus and Sugarcane Bagasse. J Polym Environ 25, 800–811 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-016-0864-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-016-0864-6