Fatigue resistance of natural fiber polymer biocomposites

• Grant number: 18/24816-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 15, 2019
• End date: July 14, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Maria Odila Hilário Cioffi
• Grantee: Thiago de Souza Dias
• Supervisor: Denis Rodrigue
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEG). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Guaratinguetá. Guaratinguetá , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Université Laval, Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 17/15461-4 - Development and characterization of biocomposites: polymeric matrix of hips reinforced with Imperata brasiliensis fibers, BP.IC

Abstract

Although a great deal of research on the use of natural fibers for polymer composite production has been done over the las few years, there is still missing information on their overall mechanical behavior. This is especially true for their stability and long-term performances. In this project, it is proposed to study one aspect of materials performance via fatigue testing. The work is mainly experimental to get some information on specific testing conditions (frequency, amplitude and type of deformation) in relation to the composite formulation, mainly fiber content here. So, the project is a first step towards our understanding of the main parameters controlling the fatigue behavior of natural fiber reinforced polymers. The biocomposites will be performed with polylactic acid reinforced with maple residues. To do so, only testing at room temperature will be performed due time limitations. (AU)