Estudio metodológico sobre el tratamiento químico de fibras naturales para el mejoramiento de su interacción con polímeros reciclados

Abstract

Abstract: Based on bagasse fibers, composite materials have been formulated with 20% by weight with high-density polyethylene as a polymeric matrix through extrusion and compression molding. The fibers were chemically treated to improve compatibility and adhesion with polyethylene, the fibers were subjected to a pretreatment with acetic acid and an alkaline treatment to remove components such as lignin, pectin and hemicellulose, then a treatment with stearic acid is performed to improve the interfacial resistance between the natural fibers and the polymeric matrix. The treated fibers were subjected to Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis to understand structural changes. The mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile tests. The results obtained from the polymeric matrix and the fiber configuration indicate that there is an improvement in the Young's modulus, in the maximum tensile stress and in the deformation compared to the fiber-reinforced composites without chemical treatment. For the composite material with 2% stearic acid, an increase of 13.25% in Young's modulus was obtained, 29.46% for maximum tension and 15.23% in deformation, which indicates that there is a better interfacial union.