Influência da adição de uma carga nanoparticulada no desempenho de compósitos poliuretano/tecido de juta.

Abstract

In this work the mechanical properties of polyurethane/jute fabric composites were analyzed as a function of fiber content and mineral filler addition. A polyurethane derived from castor oií was used as the matrix and hessian cloth as reinforcement. The effect of the incorporation of smaíl amounts of a focai clay (bentonite), in its natural calcium and sodium activated forms, onto the mechanical properties of PU/jute composites was also evaluated. Our resuíts indicate that the tensile properties of the composites substantially increased with jute fiber addition and that although the mechanical properties of the matrix were affected by the addition of a nanoparticulate clay, the improvement was not as expected. This was attributed to poor mixing and dispersion of the filler, which was confirmed by MEV. A synergistic effect was observed for the hybrid PU/fiber/clay composites, as a considerable improvement in the mechanical performance of the hybrid composites was achieved.