Biocomposites for 3D printing: use of bamboo leaf in fiber-reinforced geopolymers and cementitious matrices

• Grant number: 19/11949-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning - Architecture and Urbanism Technology
• Principal Investigator: Joao Adriano Rossignolo
• Grantee: Maria Júlia Bassan de Moraes
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Considering the search for new products, more sustainable, with technical improvements which lead to greater variability and expansion of the market, with a simpler production method, increasing competition, this research has as general objective the development of a line of research still not exploited in Brazil and little explored internationally: the production of fiber reinforced geopolymers made by the process of extrusion and 3D printing. In addition, this project also aims the valorization of bamboo leaf ash (CFB), the residue of bamboo production, using it as a partial precursor in the production of geopolymers and as a partial replacement of Portland cement in the production of fiber cement through the extrusion process, which increases the impacts of the project in the economic, social, environmental, technological and scientific spheres, besides being another innovative aspect of the research. To carry out a project involving different specialties in the area of alternative materials, this research will be developed with the partnership of researchers from the Research Support Center for Materials for Biosystems (NAP-BioSMat) of FZEA-USP, researchers of Alternative Materials of Construction (MAC) of FEIS - UNESP and with Professor Jay G. Sanjayan, director of the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure at the University of Swinburne - Australia. Thus, dosages will be studied and defined for the production of fiber reinforced geopolymers with satisfactory properties to be extruded. Squeeze Flow, physical (apparent density, water absorption and apparent porosity), mechanical (four point flexural tensile), and microstructural (Scanning Electron Microscopy and X - Ray Microtomography) tests will be performed for both geopolymer composites and fibrocement with partial replacement of Portland cement by CFB. Thus, the development of this project will allow the development of new construction materials produced by extrusion or 3D printing. (AU)