Dynamic-mechanical evaluation of epoxy matrix composites incorporated with buriti fibers

The relatively stronger fiber extracted from the petiole of the buriti palm tree, have been motivated research works on their applications as reinforcement of polymeric composites. In the present work dynamic-mechanical tests (DMA) were conducted to obtain the storage modulus, loss modulus and tangent delta for epoxy composites incorporated with buriti fibers. Different volume percentage of buriti fiber, up to 30%, were mixed with DGEBA TETA epoxy resin followed by cure at room temperature for 24 hours and then post-cured at 120 degree C. The DMA tests were carried out in the interval from 20 to 200 degree C, operating in a flexural mode at 1 Hz under nitrogen. The results showed that the incorporation of continuous and aligned buriti fibers, tends to increase the viscoelastic stiffness of the epoxy matrix. Changes also occurred in the glass transition temperature and the composite damping capacity measured by the tangent delta peak. This is an indication that the molecular mobility of the epoxy may be affected by the buriti fiber interaction in the composite.