Compósitos de matriz poliéster com fibras de macambira (Bromélia laciniosa): modelagem, simulação e experimentação.

Abstract

This reseach aims to study theoretically and experimentally water absorption in polymer composites reinforced with macambira fiber (BromeliaLaciniosa). As polymer matrix was used unsaturated polyester resin and macambira fiber from cariri region of the Paraiba state. The composite samples were manufactured with 70% polyester resin and 30% macambira fiber (3cm length). Experiments were carried out in samples with 3 and 6 mm thickness at the temperatures 25, 50 and 70ºC. A transient 3D mathematical model was used to predict mass transfer during water sorption of the composites. It was verified that the water sorption kinetic is affected by area /volume relationships. For short time, approximately 50 h, the sample with lower area/volume relationships and higherprocess temperature presents a larger water absorption velocity, and for long times, these samples presents higher equilibrium water content. Equilibrium moisture content of the samples were 16.8% at 25ºC, 17.00%. at 50ºC and 19.10% at 70ºC, for 3 mm thickness, and 12.5% at 25ºC, 15.8% at 50ºC and 14.8% at 70 ºC, for 6 mm thickness. Predicted results of the moisture content of the composites were compared with experimental data, and a good agreement was verified. From this comparison diffusion coefficients were obtained for different experimental conditions.