Pejibaye Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Matrix Composites

Abstract

The use of chopped pejibaye fibers obtained from the residues of pejibaye plantations is presented. These fibers are obtained from the leftover residues after the collection of heart of palm from pejibaye palms. PP-pejibaye composites were manufactured and the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites were compared to the properties of the unreinforced PP matrix. The results obtained show that untreated pejibaye fibers act as filler, not as reinforcement, but do not reduce the mechanical properties of the untreated polymeric matrix. The tensile properties of the composites were suitably modeled using the Turcsányi equation. Also, the incorporation of the fibers does not alter the thermal properties of the untreated matrix. Therefore, the use of this agribusiness residue can present economic advantages since the cost of composite parts can be reduced and their life cycle assessment increased by the use of this lignocellulosic residue, without altering the basic thermal and mechanical properties of the polymeric matrix.