Effect of Fique Fibers in the Behavior of a New Biobased Composite from Renewable Mopa-Mopa Resin

Abstract

A fully biobased composite was developed using a natural resin from the Elaeagia Pastoensis Mora plant, known as Mopa-Mopa reinforced with fique fibers. Resin extraction was through solvent processing reaching an efficient extraction process of 92% and obtaining a material that acted as a matrix without using any supplementary chemical modifications as it occurs with most of the biobased resins. This material was processed by the conventional transform method (hot compression molding) to form the plates from which the test specimens were extracted. From physicochemical and mechanical characterization, it was found that the resin had obtained a tensile strength of 15 MPa that increased to values of 30 MPa with the addition of 20% of the fibers with alkalization treatment. This behavior indicated a favorable condition of the fiber-matrix interface in the material. Similarly, the evaluation of the moisture adsorption in the components of the composite demonstrated that such adsorption was mainly promoted by the presence of the fibers and had a negative effect on a plasticization phenomenon from humidity that reduced the mechanical properties for all the controlled humidities (47%, 77% and 97%). Finally, due to its physicochemical and mechanical behavior, this new biobased composite is capable of being used in applications such as wood–plastic (WPCs) to replace plastic and/or natural wood products that are widely used today.

Exploring the Potential of Fique Fiber as a Natural Composite Material: A Comprehensive Characterization Study

“…The fique fiber presents appropriate physical and mechanical properties to reinforce composite materials [ 14 , 108 ]. Recently, various studies have developed composites with different types of matrices combined with this type of fiber [ 15 , 62 , 109 ]…”

“…The fique fiber presents appropriate physical and mechanical properties to reinforce composite materials [14,108]. Recently, various studies have developed composites with different types of matrices combined with this type of fiber [15,62,109] The development of new products using composites of polymeric matrices reinforced with fique fibers began to appear in the last decade. For example, Gómez-Suarez et al manufactured a student chair using a polyester resin composite and 24.9% fique weight, which presented maximum stress of 27.3 MPa and Young's modulus of 0.725 GPa, resisting a load of 100 kg [100].…”

“…Fique fiber has been traditionally used in producing handicrafts and textiles, particularly in South America. However, in recent years, interest in fique fiber has grown due to its potential as an engineering material as a raw material for the manufacture of products with applications in different areas, such as composite materials, bio-insulation, bioseparation supports, construction, and the textile industry, among others [ 7 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

Composite materials reinforced with fique fibers – a review

“…[64]- [71], [76], [78], [79], [81], [82] Flexural [15], [21], [29], [34], [38], [39], [47], [50], [59], [60], [62], [64], [69], [71], [80], [82], [77] Compression [86] Impact [15], [20], [39], [49], [62], [66], [69], [79], [82], [77] Water absorption [15], [37], [38], [49], [52], [57], [60], [69], [85], [86] Density [15], [34], [42], [52], [60], [64], [69],…”

Using Plantain Rachis Fibers and Mopa-Mopa Resin to Develop a Fully Biobased Composite Material

“…Although Mopa-Mopa possesses some physicochemical characteristics that make it attractive for consideration in the field of biocomposite materials, over the years, it has been extracted and benefited by generations of farmers to be used as raw material for the decoration of handicrafts, mainly [5,6]. In this sense, the literature shows few scientific studies [7][8][9][10] that report evaluations related to the use of this resin, which opens a wide field to investigate its characteristics and take better advantage of it in the scientific area [9]. After its extraction process, Mopa-Mopa resin is characterized by an emerald green color, no odor or taste, and a semi-solid consistency that requires prior drying to be pulverized.…”