Study of Natural Fibers as Filler in a Polymeric

Matrix to Make Environment Friendly Materials

J. V. Montesdeoca-Contreras1 , C. A. Paltn-Zhingre2
T. F. Muoz-Cuenca3
Carrera de Ingeniera Mecnica
Universidad Politcnica Salesiana
Cuenca-Ecuador
jmontesdeocac@est.ups.edu.ec,2 cpaltan@est.ups.edu.ec
3
tmunozc@est.ups.edu.ec

AbstractBamboo fibers were employed to replace glass fiber

on unsaturated polyester resins. In this context, this document
presents a study case to use Guadua Angustifolia kunt (GAK) as
reinforcement in a polymeric matrix base. This study includes
analysis about tensile resistance tensile strengh, Youngs modulus,
flexural strengh and flexural modulus of short bamboo fibre
polymeric composite reinforced. In the development of this paper
shown the method of elaboration of Polymeric composite bamboo
fibre reinforced 30 % by volume. This polymeric composite
reduces the final product cost and make it environment friendly
reducing high rate of plastics wastes accumulating in the dumps
of the cities.
Index TermsPolyester Resins, Natural Fibers, Bio Composite,
Polymeric Matrix.

I. I NTRODUCTION
Since the polymers were discovered there has been a lot of
research to improve and modify their mechanical, chemical,
optical, thermal properties, but now by the large amount of
plastic discarded and increasing every minute polluting the
environment has been necessary to develop the way to make
most plastics environment friendly or biodegradable [1], [2].
Bamboo fibers has been analyzed last years to verify its
excellent properties [8]. In this way, bamboo fiber behaviour
has been analyzed when it interact with unsaturated polyester
resin (UP), with good results for its interphase [9]. Therefore
the applications of bamboo in construction and develop of new
materials has caused a high interest in scientist society because
it represents a way to create eco-polymers.
Considering the excellent mechanical properties of bamboo
and given the abundance of this species [6], [12], it has chosen
this material for an engineering study, looking for to replace
synthetic materials with natural fibers.
Instead than a need it has become an urgent to reduce
the consume of materials developed by fuel fossil [6], [10].
Include natural fibers in plastic material is only the begin.
Now biopolymers as cellulosic plastics are being developed
as replace synthetic plastics [13].
It is very important to know the chemical characteristics
to stand out in the bamboo as hydrophilicity, this makes the
978-1-4799-7306-4/15/$31.00 2015 IEEE

J. I. Fajardo-Seminario4 , L. M. Lpez-Lpez5
D. R. Lasso-Lazo6
Carrera de Ingeniera Mecnica
Universidad Politcnica Salesiana
Cuenca-Ecuador
4
jfajardo@ups.edu.ec, 5 llopez@ups.edu.ec
6
dlassol@ups.edu.ec

bamboo fiber is completely unsupported by the nature of the

polymeric matrix having hydrophobicity [3]. To make bamboo
fiber compatible with the polymeric matrix must be done
before a chemical or physical treatment to the affinity between
these materials. Removing lignin and cellulose from bamboo
increase the bonding between the fiber and the polymer matrix
[4].
Bamboo fibers could be used in different applications, that
is why could be treated chemically to fuse with other plastics
[7]. Further it could be used as a hybrid element. For example
addition to fiberglass could added bamboo fibers combining
their properties to broaden the range of applications [8], [11].
II. M ETHODOLOGY
In this research has been used a commercial orthophthalic
unsaturated polyester resin (UP), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK),
polyvinyl alcohol, and natural fibers such of bamboo. This
fibers can be obtained using traditional methods, manipulating
different parts of GAK cane for small pieces and then through
a shredder achieve fibers with a uniform thickness. There is
very important factor that has to be taken into consideration,
as the fibers of bamboo by its nature origin it absorb moisture
from the environment, therefore the fiber previously it has to
be dried by heat till the moisture will be minimum. The fibers
were dried 70 overnight 80 C.
The analysis of random samples of bamboo cane fibers with
different lengths and diameters was taken, these were tested
using an Olympus microscope 2000 and 5x magnification. 50
measures scattered fibers were taken to present statistical data.
This characterization is shown in figure 1.
Is necessary to consider that the resin to be used has
previously been accelerated by the local provider.
Using resin as matrix, MEK as a catalyst to harden the resin
a faster way, and polyvinyl alcohol as a release of our sample.
Since in this case is not possible obtain a laminate with
the resin, proceeds to make a mixture with a percentage of
70 wt % resin and 30 wt % bamboo fibers. To calculate the
real density of composite was employed the rule of mixtures
(ROM) according to eq. 1.
The autohydrolysis of lignocellulosic material was performed, which provides the necessary fiber to bamboo fibers

Volumetric fraction of fiber is calculated using eq. 2

ff iber =

30
1.2
70
1.13

30
1.2

ff iber = 0.287
Once obtained the volumetric fraction is easier to find the
density of composite.
For obtain the density of the composite using eq. 1.

Figure 1. Fibers looked at microscope at 5x

have an affinity with the polymeric matrix moisture[4]. This

fibers were supplied by Materials Research Group GiMaTUPS. Bamboo fibers were from Bucay-Ecuador were used as
reinforcement to composite. The fibers correspond at size mesh
45, according to ASTM 11-87 standard.
A universal testing machine brand Tinius Olsen H25KS model with extensometer with a maximum load is 25
kN was used for testing. By testing machine stress percent
deformation and position of the movable jaw were obtained.
Five samples of each category were conditioned in accordance
with Procedure A of Practice D618 and tested. Their average
values and standard deviation were reported.
c =fm m + ff f

(1)

Where,
fm = volumetric fraction of matrix
ff = volumetric fraction of fiber
c = compound density
m = matrix density
f = fiber density

Figure 2. Obtaining specimens scheme

Volumetric fraction is calculated using eq. 2

%
density

f=P 

%
density

(2)

III. M ATHEMATICAL P ROCESS

The values of resin and fiber density are extracted by means
of electronic desecator MB45 by OHAUS using a standard
temperature program.
Resin density:
h g i
1.13
cm3
Fiber density:
h g i
1.2
cm3
Volumetric fraction of resin is calculated using eq. 2.
fresin =

c =1.13(0.712) + 1.2(0.287)
h g i
c =1.149
cm3
IV. P ROCEDURE
The natural fiber was incorporated at unsaturated before to
add the catalyst. The figure 2 shows the process to obtain the
bamboo composite.

It was incorporated till obtain a homogeneous mixture. How

polyester resin is previously accelerated. After laminate take
its final form was added the catalyst for a faster dried.
Making tensile strength resistance composite was obtained
2+-2 [M P a]. For this test the compound laminating was machining. The rule behind this test is ISO 527-2 / ASTM D638
that determines the characteristics of a polymeric specimen for
tensile tests [5].
The figure 3 shows normalized specimens after mixed
polyester resin and bamboo fibers.

70
1.13
70
1.13

30
1.2

fresin = 0.712

Figure 3. Specimens obtained

V. R ESULTS

Figure 4 shows a good fiber dispersion in whole laminate.

Figure 5. GAK, glass fiber, resin tensile strength

figure 6 shows a elastic modulus compare in three different

materials.

Figure 4. Laminate Composite

Table 1 shows results obtained by the tensile test.

Table I
M ECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMERIC COMPOSITE BAMBOO FIBER
REINFORCED PART 1
RUN

Fibre
[% by volume]

UP/BF_30F
control

30
0

Flextural
strenght [Mpa]
Ave.
Dev.
64.378
6.450
90.000
-

Figure 6. Elastic modulus compare

The tensile test shows a resistance decrease.

VI. A NALYSIS OF R ESULTS
Table II
M ECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMERIC COMPOSITE BAMBOO FIBER
REINFORCED PART 2
Flextural
modulus [Gpa]
Ave.
Dev.
3.728
0.348
4.500
-

Tensile
strenght [Mpa]
Ave.
Dev.
21.060
1.85
90.000
-

Young
modulus [Gpa]
Ave.
Dev.
5.28
0.45
3.4000
-

UP/BF_30F = Polymeric composite bamboo fibre reinforced

30 % by volume
Control = Unsaturated polyester resin .
Literature data about unsaturated polyester resin
 g 
Density: 1.2 to 1.2 cm
3
Figure 5 shows a compare about tensile strength in three
different materials.

Analyzing the obtained results the density trend shows little

increase,
a mixture of the two component parts,
 g from

 g resin

1.13 cm
as polymeric matrix and bamboo 1.12 cm
3
 3 g as

filler. Giving as overall result a density value of 1.14 cm3 ,
causing a weight increase of the composite. Although, during
the tensile tests it shows a considerable fall in its resistance
that originally was 90 [M P a] from the raw resin to about
21 [M P a] which cause at specific properties of composite
a significant decrease. The laminating process was easy to
make but there is a parameter that could not be controlled, it
was the uniform orientation of fibers, a random distribution of
fibers was observed in whole composite that cause a significant
effect of fibers, compared with other reinforcements such as
glass and carbon fibers. Was not used couple agents to improve
the interface therefore is logical that the mechanical behavior
was reduced. Comparing values obtained through testing all
properties relevant in this composite decrease with respect to
the values specified in literature.

VII. F UTURE W ORKS

In the next document acoustic properties of the unsaturated
polyester resin add fibers of Guadua Angustifolia Kunt will be
analyzed for use this composite for sound insulation in places
where this application could be necessary. As the unsaturated
resin polyester is a great thermostable naturally is an excellent
insulator. This way an electrical study will be made for verify
their great properties.
VIII. C ONCLUSION
The tensile strength decreased from the polymeric matrix,
because the fiber distribution is not unidirectional and was not
employed couple agents. Causing a rupture of the material in
areas where less reinforcement. This composite material would
be used in semi-structural applications. Although would have
an efficient use in the implementation of commercial materials.
However the use of the natural fibers in composite engineering
is not excluded because their good mechanical properties and
low density makes it an excellent reinforcement.
IX. ACKNOWLEDGES
The authors are grateful whit Materials Research Group
GiMaT-UPS and CIDII for their knowledge support along
the development of this research. Also is appreciated support
provided by Dr. Victor Guerrero from Escuela Politecnica
Nacional-Ecuador, who contributed with testing of materials.
And Ing. Julio C. Montesdeoca for his guide.
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