Proceedings of COBEM 2011 Copyright 2011 by ABCM

21 Brazilian Congress of Mechanical Engineering October 24-28, 2011, Natal, RN, Brazil

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THE EFFECT OF NATURAL FIBRE REINFORCING GEOPOLYMERS ON FRACTURE TOUGHNESS

Lima, G.S.T1. ; Lima, A.B.A.S1. ; Correia,E.A.S2(1gabrieldsa@hotmail.com;1alonbatista@hotmail.com; 2 edvaldo.amaro@ifpb.edu.br) Torres, S. M1.; De Barros,S.1; Alexandre,M.E2(; 1sandromardentorres@yahoo.co.uk; 1silvio.debarros@gmail.com; 2 marcio_eliel@hotmail.com)
1 2

Nucleo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Materiais NEPEM-UFPB,Joao Pessoa/PB Brazil Instituto Federal de Educao, Cincia e Tecnologia da Paraba-IFPB, Joo Pessoa/PB-Brasil
1

Gomes, K.C1.;( kcgomes1411@gmail.com)

3

Laboratorio de Ensaios de Materiais e Estruturas LABEME-UFPB,Joao Pessoa/PB Brazil

Abstract Some important qualities in the applicability of the engineering have been putting the Geopolymeric matrices in a significant space in the world scientific literature. The geopolymeric synthesis that uses the calcined kaolinitic clay (metakaolinite) as main precursor, it has been bringing positive results, which confirm its great resistance to the attack of aggressive agents and its good thermal stability, making it superior than many traditional composites. However, due to its relatively low resistivity to the bending forces and tensile, it is done necessary the use of an element that compensates that fails and improves the composite qualities. Departing from the principle that the use of renewable natural resources can substitute synthetic raw material without significant loss of properties, this work introduces an innovative technique that inserts the raw fiber of Sisal (Agave sisalana) to the synthesis of the geopolymeric matrix, aiming a profit in the mechanical strength of the composite. It was elaborated a standard matrix of aluminum to make possible obtain 12 specimens, 6 with natural fiber and others 6 without fiber, that was submitted to the CHARPY impact test, and the results compared, in order to quantify the strength gain in the composite. Keywords: Geopolymer1, Natural Fibers2, Agave Sisalana3. 1. INTRODUCTION

Advances in the development of composite materials have brought significant results as to its applicability (ALEXANDRE,2005). However it is notable that some reinforcements traditional expose their limitations and compromises its mechanical performance. This is because with time, these materials lose their tenacity and endurance due to the alkalinity of the array. The relentless quest for the most versatile building materials, with greater economic potential and low cost, have targeted searches to work with natural fibres (AZIZ, 1987), which in addition to improving the mechanical performance of the array, has good resistance to chemical instability establishing a greater resistance to the matrix, however still exists the need to find satisfactory conditions for optimizing the interface, as well as enhance operationalization in productive scale. The technique of applying natural fibres such as strengthening agent in arrays slabs have been used since the mid1940s when James Hardie and Copy Pty Ltd has replaced asbestos by pulp cellulose as strengthening agent in cementbased laminates. In Brazil, this technique began to be developed by the research and Development Center in Bahia, applying natural fibers in concrete matrix (LIMA, 2004). This new line of research brings to light a new variable for composite materials, opening up new fields of application, in addition to using renewable resources, which contribute to the reduction of contamination of the environment. Compound as aluminosilicates form a matrix resistant high temperature (BARBOSA; CHENG, 2003; COLEMAN,2005 , have high power to accession and satisfactory ability to cure at room temperature, the Geopolymer (DAVIDOVITS,2002; DREVER,1997; DUXTON,2006) like most arrays screeds, has a low mechanical strength, which limits its scope. To obtain a significant gain in strength, especially when subjected to mechanical tests, inserting vegetable fiber composite qualities raises and extends its scope. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1. Materials As a source of silicon and aluminum matrix used the supplied by Caulisa SA kaolin, kaolin processing industry located in the municipality of Juazeirinho, PB; the vegetable fibres were provided by COSIBRA Company Sisal of Brazil. Sodium silicate was provided by Pernambuco Chemistry S/A with a silica (SiO2/Na2O ratio, by mass) roughly 2.5 and pH around 13.

Proceedings of COBEM 2011 Copyright 2011 by ABCM

21 Brazilian Congress of Mechanical Engineering October 24-28, 2011, Natal, RN, Brazil

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2.2. Synthesis process The process of synthesis occurred in two steps. In the first stage was calcined kaolin(DUXTON2006), in a muffle furnace at 750 C for 2 h, so that the entire exercised by kaolinite in metacaulinita(THAUMATURGO,2006; VAN JAARSVELD,2002, then use the sodium silicate in appropriate proportion with Activator alkaline, the bubbles have been eliminated through intermittent vibration. In the second step the fibers with approximately 60 mm in length were arranged in two layers of 3 mm and interspersed by matrix in the ratio of 3%, until filling mold, this process was repeated until all layers were released by filling in a uniform manner throughout the mold cavity. Again, the bubbles have been eliminated by placing the template fully populated on a shaking platform. After the molding process, shapes underwent a process of cure in an oven at 55 C for 48 hours. After this period, the mold rested for over 48 hours under ambient temperature, so that ultimately were subjected to the tests of characterization.

Figure 1. Filling molds with Geopolymer. 2.3. Characterization of materials

Figure 2. Bodies of evidence of array thermal post-treatment.

The characterization of materials, precursors and of the bodies evidence instrumental techniques was carried out as described below:-the determination of the moisture content of the fibres(LADCHUMANANANDASIVAM,2005; SAVASTANO,2008) of the Agave Sisalana was conducted according to standard (American Society for Testing and Materials) ASTM 1413-76; the analyses via wet (titration) were held in order to determine the concentration of acidic groups of samples; The content of water-soluble extractives was determined by standard TAPPI T212 om-98. -Images of the surfaces of vegetable fibres were obtained from secondary electrons and Spread in a scanning electron microscope JSM 5800 LV a JEOL brand. The accelerating voltage of the electron beam generated from a tungsten filament was equal to 10 kV. -in carrying out the test for evaluation of the impact toughness, a shoe brand WOLPERT / AMSLER, with scales 30/15kpm. Chemical analysis was held at the Rapid laboratory Scale of UFPB in Sequential x-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer XRF-1800 model of Shimadzu. 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1. Geopolymer Formulations of folder The chemical composition(PALOMO,2003) of metacaulinita activated alkaline(FERNNDEZ-JIMNEZ,2005; GLUKHOVSKY, 1980;and GOMES,2007) with sodium silicate PQ-1.65, was analyzed by x-ray Florescence (XRF) in laboratory scale rapid UFPB.

Table1. Chemical compositions of the Geopolymer folder.

constituents
%

SiO2
72.7895

Na2O
12.9737

Al2O
12.8665

K2O
0.4329

Cl
0.3769

Fe2O3
0.3008

CaO
0.1291

TiO2
0.0537

SO3
0.0409

P2O5
0.0295

NiO
0.0064

Proceedings of COBEM 2011 Copyright 2011 by ABCM

21 Brazilian Congress of Mechanical Engineering October 24-28, 2011, Natal, RN, Brazil

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3.2. Physico-chemical properties of fibres As the Lignocellulosic are highly hygroscopic materials is very important to the determination of the moisture content of The soluble in cold water include organic salts, sugars, resins and tannins.

Table 2. Characterization of constituents Present in the microstructure of the fibres of the Agave Sisalana Parameters Moisture content Concentration of acidic groups Content of water-soluble extractives Agave Sisalana 10,48 % 0,01 0, 00186 mol/l 0, 001 6,84% 0,01

3.3. Mechanical Tests Were tested 12 bodies of evidence, being only 6 geopolymeric and 6 matrix with 3% sisal fiber, such as fiber density is less than the array during the process of preparation of the material there was segregation of fibresbut we align mechanically distribution.

Table 3. Charpy test results materials matrix 3% sisal 1 0.32 1.12 2 0.41 0.9 3 0.48 1 4 0.51 1.5 5 0.41 1.25 6 0.32 1.3 media 16.85323 16.60455 DP 16.60455 0.774706 undead kPm kPm

1,6 1,5

Imp Toughness of FR GP (kPm)

1,4 1,3 1,2 1,1 1 0,9 0,8 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6 Imp Toughness of GP (kPm)

Figure 3.Charpy Test graph for Geopolymer

Proceedings of COBEM 2011 Copyright 2011 by ABCM

21 Brazilian Congress of Mechanical Engineering October 24-28, 2011, Natal, RN, Brazil

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Figure 4: geopolymer matrix composite reinforced strengthening agent of sisal in natura. We can observe through the behavior of the curve, a gain of energy on composites with addition of reinforcing agent around 36%, justifying the use of fiber as strengthening agent in arrays geopolimricas under dynamic loading activities of short duration (pulse). Also observe that the composites with reinforcement of 3% of fibres have lower density when compared to the array without reinforcement, this improves the performance of composites for use in the manufacture of automotive parts and civil construction, because it entails reducing the weight of the structure. 3.4. Characterization of scanning electron microscopy The surface of the fibres presents cerise and other substances fouling as hemicelluloses, lignin, and pectin that forms a thick outer layer (REDDY and YANG, 2005). The cerise provide a protection layer on the surface of the fibres, increasing of hydrophobicity of surfaces (SETTI et al., 1999, JOHNSON et al., 1973).

Figure 5. Microstructure of the surface of the fibres of sisal in natura Geopolymeric matrix.

Figure 6. Microscopy in composite with leaf of sisal fiber

Observe through MEV that aspect of the interface between fiber and matrix, shows open interfaces and adhesion can is committed.

4. CONCLUSIONS Comparing the results of tests of bodies of evidence both with and without reinforcement agent, estimating the gain in strength. Composites with fibres of sisal, of length equal to 25 mm and volume fraction of 3%, was what gave better resistance average, reaching approximately 36% of compressive strength of the array without reinforcement, the performance of a composite can also be improved increasing the mechanical transfer of request for fiber array geopolimrica that this way will strengthen therefore the composite. This is accomplished by reconciling the fiber hydrophilic and hydrophobic matrix(MATTOSO,1996; SIQUEIRA,2003) which promotes an increase in the membership of fiber/matrix. This increased membership is obtained by chemical modification of the surface of fiber or by addition of polar groups in the array (Polar). For future work we use methods of fiber surface modification and adjustments in the molar ratio of the constituents of the array.

Proceedings of COBEM 2011 Copyright 2011 by ABCM

21 Brazilian Congress of Mechanical Engineering October 24-28, 2011, Natal, RN, Brazil

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5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We acknowledge all the partners and friends who collaborated to the development that job, providing us every necessary material to confection our specimens between them, the COSIBRA S.A., Caulisa S.A. and Chemistry S.A. Acknowledge too, all the laboratories who collaborated to analyzes and characterizations our specimens made in the LABEME and LSR in the Federal University of Paraba. The characterization was made in the LACOM on UFPB, and a mechanical test was executed in mechanical laboratory of the IFPB. 6. REFERENCES
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