Compósito híbrido pet reciclado/rejeito de fibras de algodão/argila montmorilonita para aplicações em têxteis técnicos

Abstract

The study of hybrid composite materials has been developed to meet the most diverse needs of the market to expand the range of applications, as they provide varied properties according to the combined action of the loads used. The objective of this work was to process and characterize recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) matrix composites (PETrec), using as fillers: waste from the brushing process of textile beneficiation (RE) and montmorillonite clay (MMT), and, syntheses of silver nanoparticles dispersed in montmorillonite clay were carried out to evaluate the silverclay-polymer interaction, and also, the interfacial compatibilization agents were used, the terpolymer ethylene - butyl acrylate - glycidyl methacrylate (EBGMA) and the terpolymer ethylene – methyl acrylate – glycidyl methacrylate (EMA-GMA). All formulations studied underwent a processing step in a single screw extruder for the incorporation of the loads, then they were processed in a twin-screw extruder for dispersion and homogenization of the polymeric composites and, later, the materials were molded by injection and also, were plasticizing for the manufacture of textile filaments in a single screw extruder. Preliminary characterizations were performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (MEV) was performed on the PETrec and RE samples, evaluating their properties, compositions, and length of the cellulose fibers. After processing, the formulations were characterized by measurements of flow index (MFI), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Shore D hardness, mechanical behavior under uniaxial tension, titration, analysis by optical microscopy (OM), and scanning electron microscopy (MEV). The MFI results showed the addition of the fillers: RE and MMT, of the compatibilizers: EBGMA and EMA-GMA, as well as the addition of MMT-Ag in the PETrec matrix, reduced the fluidity, that is, it increased the viscosity of the polymeric composites. The results of Xray diffraction of composites with montmorillonite clay, as well as the simultaneous addition of different fillers in the formation of hybrid composites, the addition of compatibilizing agents, and also of silver showed signs of intercalation and exfoliation of the lamellae of this clay with the formation of polymeric nanocomposites. Shore D hardness tests did not show significant variations with the addition of different loads and interfacial compatibilizers. The results of tensile tests of the specimens showed that the RE did not change the properties under tension and that the MMT and MMTAg increased the maximum strength of the polymeric composite. And the use of EMA-GMA increased maximum strength and elongation at break when compared to EBGMA. It was concluded that the use of fillers: RE, MMT, and MMT-Ag, as well as the use of EBGMA and EMA-GMA, favored the use of these materials for applications in the textile area.