Title
Characterization of natural fibers: wood sugarcane and babassu for use in biocomposites
Authors
ALESSANDRA LUIZA DE LEMOS CRISTIANE JAQUELINE MAUSS and RUTH MARLENE CAMPOMANES SANTANA

Received July 26, 2016
Published Volume 51 Issue 7-8 July-August
Keywords natural fibers, wood, sugarcane, babassu, biocomposite

Abstract
Natural fibers have received increasing attention in recent years. New properties are achieved when these fibers are used in composites. A comparative study of three different natural fibers, supplied by agroindustrial residues, was carried out to investigate their potential to be used as reinforcement in biocomposites. The following characterization techniques were used: thermal analysis (TGA/DTG), optical microscopy, dimensional analysis and morphological analysis by SEM and FTIR. The specimens of natural fibers used were: wood flour, sugarcane and babassu, without prior treatment. TGA/DTG analysis confirmed that the thermal stability of babassu was lower than that of wood and sugarcane fiber. FTIR analysis showed the existence of similar groups corresponding to cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in the natural fibers. SEM micrographs showed a non-homogeneous and random size distribution of the vegetal fibers, with pores and cracks as pits and tylose. The results showed the potential of the fibers to be used as reinforcement in polymer biocomposites for several applications.