Fabricación y caracterización de materiales compuestos de matriz polimérica reforzados con fibras vegetales

Abstract

Plastics reinforced with synthetic fibers which are widely used in the automotive and aeronautics industry. However they have high density and theirs manufacture requires high energy consumption and generates pollutants and wastes when eliminated. Natural fibers are an alternative to traditional reinforcements. The composites obtained: less dense, more economical and environmentally friendly and intrinsically biodegradable, can be a substitute for traditional materials, and the future success of many industries. Therefore, the demand for natural fibers with improved properties and new functionalities increases. In this thesis, composites have been prepared using olive pruning fibers as reinforcement of two polymeric matrices: polylactic acid and polypropylene. This study addresses the influence of: particle size, fiber quantity, additive and fiber treatment, on the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites. In addition the influence of the ultraviolet exposure and the polymer degradation has been evaluated.