Recycling of polypropylene and curaua fiber-based ecocomposites: Effect of reprocessing on mechanical properties

Abstract

The polypropylene with load of reinforcement of curauá fiber (PP-curauá) is a compound developed to be applied in the process of injection of automotive plastic parts. Polypropylene composites reinforced with mineral fillers (talc) or glass fibers have been widely applied in this segment. However, natural fibers are an important alternative considering the aspects of sustainability, recyclability, abundance and low cost, when compared with glass fibers, and industrial talc. This study was prompted by the growing need for materials that meet the constant cycles of use, disposal and reuse, and avoid the harmful effects on the environment. The mechanical properties of a curaua fiber and polypropylene-based ecocomposite reprocessed one, three and five times were assessed, since reprocessing is known to change the strength of these materials. Pure polypropylene (0%) and ecocomposites with 10 and 30 wt% of fiber were submitted to tensile and three-point bending tests. The results showed that polypropylene ecocomposites with 30% curaua fibers exhibited a higher modulus of elasticity. Moreover, reprocessing did not significantly affect the ecocomposite properties, demonstrating their viability for reuse.