ALMEIDA, T. G.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/5946513801447243; ALMEIDA, Tatiara Gomes de.
Resumen:
The effect of the processing, type and content of two variations of a plant fiber extracted
from babassu coconut and the type of processing in the structure, thermal, rheological,
mechanical properties, water absorption and biodegradability of poly (butylene
adipate-co-terephthalate) – PBAT/babassu compounds were evaluated. PBAT
composites with 10, 20 and 30% of micronized fiber from the mesocarp and epicarp
fiber of babassu coconut were produced in an internal laboratory mixer, and
characterized by torque rheometry. The compositions were extruded, injection molded
and characterized by FTIR, MO, MEV, MFI, DSC and TGA. Water absorption,
mechanical properties and soil biodegradability were also determined. The effect of
the type of processing adopted was evaluated by parallel plate rheometry, melt flow
index, MO and DSC. Results show that, in the extrusion process, the specific energy
is dependent on the type of filler employed and independent of its content. The
rheological study allowed to estimate the degradation of the PBAT and the composites
during processing, which was shown to be dependent on fiber type and content. Optical
microscopy evidenced the morphological difference between the loads and that this is
preserved in the composites. The type and loading content, as well as the type of
processing, affected the crystallization and melting parameters of the composites.
Fiber incorporation stiffened and weakened the PBAT, and mechanical properties were
were dependent on load content. The presence of vegetable fibers significantly
increased the capacity and rate of water absorption, which were shown to be
dependent on the type and content of filler. Babassu incorporation tends to accelerate
PBAT biodegradation. Higher processing intensity resulted in lower viscosity, higher
dispersion of the vegetable load and had a moderate effect on the thermal
characteristics of the systems. PBAT/babassu based products are biodegradable,
environmentally friendly and economical and their properties allow them to be used in
different applications. Babassu fillers can be used to produce lower cost composites
without significant damage to the properties of PBAT.