Vegetal fibers in polymeric composites: a review

The need to develop and commercialize materials containing vegetal fibers has grown in order to reduce environmental impact and reach sustainability. Large amounts of lignocellulosic materials are generated around the world from several human activities. The lignocellulosic materials are composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, extractives and ashes. Recently these constituents have been used in different applications; in particular, cellulose has been the subject of numerous works on the development of composite materials reinforced with natural fibers. Many studies have led to composite materials reinforced with fibers to improve the mechanical, physical, and thermal properties. Furthermore, lignocellulosic materials have been treated to apply in innovative solutions for efficient and sustainable systems. This paper aims to review the lignocellulosic fibers characteristics, as well as to present their applications as reinforcement in composites of different polymeric matrices.Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnologicoFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Embrapa Agroind Trop, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista UNESP, Fac Engn Guaratingueta, Dept Mat &Tecnol, Guaratingueta, SP, BrazilCtr Univ Volta Redonda UniFOA, Volta Redonda, RJ, BrazilDepartamento de Materiais e Tecnologia, Faculdade de Engenharia de Guaratinguetá, Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Guaratinguetá, SP, BrazilFundacao Cearense deApoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico: DCR-0024-00522.01.00/12FAPESP: 2011/14.153-

Development of Al 319-Micro Silica Metallic Composite by Squeeze Infiltration Technique

The objective of present investigation is to synthesize porous micro silica based ceramic preform with varying composition of particles using burn out technique and processing of Al-Micro silica metal-ceramic composites by squeeze infiltration method. Direct squeeze infiltration of 319 aluminum alloy on micro silica preform is successfully carried out with the controlled process parameters of initial preform temperature, liquid metal superheat, squeeze pressure and its rate of application, and die temperature. The preform and composites are characterized using optical microscopy, electron microscopy, hardness and compression strength testing. Porous ceramic preform with more than 70% porosity has been fabricated by PEG as pore former. The infiltrated composite have shown uniform and complete infiltration of aluminum alloy in between micro silica particles.</jats:p