Technical Assessment of Leaf Fibers from Curaua: An Amazonian Bioresource

ABSTRACT

The main goal of this study is to assess the mechanical, physical and morphological properties of bundle fibers extracted from curaua leaves and pullout testing in cementitious matrix. The mechanical properties of the fibers were analyzed in mechanical testing of four fiber lengths (10, 20, 30 and 40 mm) to observe the influence of the length of the variable’s tensile strength, Young’s modulus and Weibull modulus. Pullout testing was measured frictional and maximal force. Fibers physical properties were assessed by means of the multipycnometer method. Morphological analyses were conducted through optical and scanning electron microscopes. The results showed that the fiber length does not interfere with the tensile strength (507–638 MPa) and Weilbull modulus (8–12). However, it influences the Young’s modulus (19–39 GPa). Curaua bundles present a higher resistance to rupture and Young’s modulus than other plant fibers species and it seems to be related to the distribution of faults along the beam. The fibers morphological characterization showed a rough and irregular surface with some impurities which are associated with the surface of the fibrous bundle and low adherence (0,26–0,47 N) with cementitious matrix in pullout testing.

摘要

本研究的主要目的是评估从箭毒草叶中提取的束纤维的力学、物理和形态特性，以及在胶凝基质中的拔出试验. 通过对4种纤维长度（10、20、30、40mm）的力学性能测试，分析了纤维长度对拉伸强度、杨氏模量和威布尔模量的影响. 拉拔试验测量了摩擦力和最大拉力. 纤维的物理性能用复测法测定. 形态学分析通过光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜进行。结果表明，纤维长度对拉伸强度（507-638mpa）和Weilbull模量（8-12）没有影响。但是，它会影响杨氏模量（19-39 GPa）. Curua纤维束具有比其他植物纤维更高的抗断裂性能和杨氏模量，这似乎与沿梁的断层分布有关. 纤维形态特征表明，纤维表面粗糙且不规则，有一些杂质与纤维束表面有关，在拔出试验中，纤维与水泥基体的粘附力较低（0,26–0,47n）.

KEYWORDS:

• Natural fibers
• mechanical Properties
• Weibull modulus
• conservation
• environment
• failure

关键词:

• 天然纤维
• 机械性能
• 威布尔模量
• 保护
• 环境
• 失败

Acknowledgments

This study was financed by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brazil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001 and the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP Thematic Project, Grant #2012/51467-3).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior [Finance Code 001]; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo [Grant #2012/51467-3].