Development and characterization of sawdust and sisal fiber reinforced vegetable based polyurethane foam hybrid composites

Abstract

Polyurethane foam derived from vegetable oils can be used as a matrix in composites with Pinus taeda sawdust and Agave sisalana fibers. The aim of this work was to obtain and characterize polyurethane foam composites derived from vegetable oil reinforced with Pinus taeda sawdust and dispersed sisal short fiber. The composites were produced in five different proportions and were analyzed by images, mechanical and physical tests. Composites with 50% foam, 37.5% sawdust and 12.5% sisal had the highest bending resistance, 11.31 MPa, and the best results after 2 hours of immersion. Composites were considered suitable for furniture and craft use.

Keywords

• rigid foam
• sawdust
• sisal
• vegetable-based polyurethane
• mechanical properties
• natural fibers