Influence of Bentonite Particles on the Mechanical Properties of Polyester-Sisal Fiber Composites.

As a part of the mission to create materials that are more environmentally friendly, we present the following proposal, in which a study of the mechanical properties of composite materials comprising a polyester resin with sisal fiber and bentonite particles was conducted. Sisal fiber was added to a matrix in percentages ranging from 5% to 45% in relation to the polyester resin weight, while bentonite remained fixed at 7% in relation to the polyester resin weight. The specimens were manufactured by compression molding.

Development of an Epoxy Matrix Hybrid Composite with Astrocaryum Aculeatum (Tucumã) Endocarp and Kaolin from the Amazonas State in Brazil.

Composites with natural lignocellulosic fillers are being cited as a viable and sustainable alternative to conventional materials, as they combine lower costs with lower weight. In many tropical countries, such as Brazil, there is a considerable amount of lignocellulosic waste that is improperly discarded, which causes pollution of the environment. The Amazon region has huge deposits of clay silicate materials in the Negro River basin, such as kaolin, which can be used as fillers in polymeric composite materials.

Effect of Nanometric Particles of Bentonite on the Mechanical Properties of a Thermoset Polymeric Matrix Reinforced with Hemp Fibers.

The influence of the addition of bentonite nanoparticles on the tensile and flexural strength of a thermosetting polymer matrix composite material reinforced with hemp fibers was de-terminated. All composites were manufactured with 5% of bentonite in the polymer mass-weight ratios and 10 to 45 wt% of fibers with a step of 5%. For mechanical characterization, tensile and flexural tests were performed: scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses were carried out.