Abstract
In this paper, a continuous polymeric matrix highly filled with fiber of sugarcane bagasse has been obtained and its feasibility as an ink-absorbing material has been evaluated. In order to study the effect of the amount of cellulose fiber on the surface printability, contact angle measurement using different liquids—water-based inks, ethanol and ink for ink-jet printers—and printing tests were performed on composites of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB). The composites were processed in a Haake internal mixer, using the SCB without any previous chemical treatment or compatibilizer. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and derivative thermogravimetry (TG/ DTG) revealed an increase in the thermal stability and in the degree of crystallinity of the HDPE. The optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the cellulosic material was homogeneously embedded within the HDPE matrix. In order to assess the resistance of the composite sample to the pull strength of the printer, tensile tests were applied to the composites and the results were compared to known paper samples. The best result was achieved in the composite with the highest content of SCB, as well as the shortest drying time.
Highlights
Nowadays one of the major concerns of society is to preserve natural resources, because the awareness of its finitude
In order to study the effect of the amount of cellulose fiber on the surface printability, contact angle measurement using different liquids—water-based inks, ethanol and ink for ink-jet printers—and printing tests were performed on composites of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB)
Since smaller fibers present a better dispersion into the polymeric matrix, it was decided to use all the material that passed through the 40 mesh sieve, corresponding to 66% of the triturated SCB
Summary
Nowadays one of the major concerns of society is to preserve natural resources, because the awareness of its finitude. Martins et al [7], when studying mechanical properties of IMAWOOD® plastic lumber, inform its composition: LDPE/HDPE 3:1 blend, obtained from postconsumed plastic bags recovered from municipal dump They are designed to work mainly as structural parts, and its success as a commoditie is attached to the effi-. Gwon et al [13] studied the modifycation of wood fibers using alkali treatment and coupling agent reactions, mixed with polypropylene resin, concluding that the fiber treatments increased physical properties due to the introduction of compatible molecular structure onto the wood fiber surfaces None of these cited composites—plastic lumber, WPC and NFRC—have been elaborated just to gather the cellulosic filler with polymer, neither dealing with poor adhesion between polymer and filler, nor aiming to improve mechanical properties. The idea was to use recycled HDPE, but the difficulties in dealing with a heterogeneous material, associated with raw filler, lead to the use of virgin HDPE instead of the recycled polymer
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