A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Babassu Coconut Fibre-Reinforced Natural Rubber Biocomposite for Fabrication and Use in Remote Locations
The work concentrates on how the largely disposed of by-products from the babassu palm tree industry and the liquid natural rubber latex extracted from the rubber trees can help produce local construction material on demand. Natural rubber and babassu natural occurrences overlap in Mapia and several other regions in Brazil; therefore, a locally fabricated biocomposite using these natural resources could be replicable in several regions across Brazil, establishing a regional collaboration between communities. Four samples with different babassu-natural rubber loading were produced following the steps commonly used in the production of biocomposites: fibre extraction, chopping of the fibres, mixing and post-processing. The mechanical properties of specimens cut out from samples with 0, 5, 7.5 and 10 pph fibre content were tested to ASTM standards. The material testing outcome follows broadly the trends highlighted in previous studies on natural rubber composites, with the addition of fibre increasing the stiffness of the natural rubber material and its tensile strength at lower elongations. The 7.5 pph sample shows a more significant increase in strength by 40% (at a 600% elongation) than non-reinforced rubber. However, the overall performance of the biocomposite is well under the expected and observed in previous studies. Even though in the early stages and with much refining required, the outcome of this work is promising. It allows foreseeing strategies for maximising the babassu–natural rubber biocomposite mechanical performance to respond to more specific applications in building projects.
Babassu Coconut Fibre-Reinforced Natural Rubber Biocomposite for Fabrication and Use in Remote Locations
The work concentrates on how the largely disposed of by-products from the babassu palm tree industry and the liquid natural rubber latex extracted from the rubber trees can help produce local construction material on demand. Natural rubber and babassu natural occurrences overlap in Mapia and several other regions in Brazil; therefore, a locally fabricated biocomposite using these natural resources could be replicable in several regions across Brazil, establishing a regional collaboration between communities. Four samples with different babassu-natural rubber loading were produced following the steps commonly used in the production of biocomposites: fibre extraction, chopping of the fibres, mixing and post-processing. The mechanical properties of specimens cut out from samples with 0, 5, 7.5 and 10 pph fibre content were tested to ASTM standards. The material testing outcome follows broadly the trends highlighted in previous studies on natural rubber composites, with the addition of fibre increasing the stiffness of the natural rubber material and its tensile strength at lower elongations. The 7.5 pph sample shows a more significant increase in strength by 40% (at a 600% elongation) than non-reinforced rubber. However, the overall performance of the biocomposite is well under the expected and observed in previous studies. Even though in the early stages and with much refining required, the outcome of this work is promising. It allows foreseeing strategies for maximising the babassu–natural rubber biocomposite mechanical performance to respond to more specific applications in building projects.
Babassu Coconut Fibre-Reinforced Natural Rubber Biocomposite for Fabrication and Use in Remote Locations
Sustainable Development Goals Series
Thomsen, Mette Ramsgaard (editor) / Ratti, Carlo (editor) / Tamke, Martin (editor) / Nieva, German (author)
World Congress of Architects ; 2023 ; Copenhagen, Denmark
2023-11-17
34 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
| British Library Online Contents | 2015
Use of coconut fibre reinforced concrete and coconut-fibre ropes for seismic-resistant construction
| DOAJ | 2016
| British Library Online Contents | 2013