Physical and mechanical evaluation of plaster composites Bambusa tuldoides fiber-reinforced plaster composites

ABSTRACT

This research aimed to evaluate the potential of Bambusa tuldoides as reinforcement in the plaster matrix. The basic density, fiber dimensions and chemical constitution of the raw material were determined. Composites were produced with volume replacement of gypsum paste by 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% of bamboo with a water / gypsum ratio of 1: 1. For the mechanical characterization of the composites, static bending, compression and bulk density tests were performed. The values obtained in the fiber evaluation presented values close to the literature. In the characterization of composites all properties had significant quadratic regression and it was possible to verify similar behavior between mechanical properties and density. In density there was an increase of its value up to the percentage of 17.41% that can be justified due to the absorption of water by the fiber due to the presence of scores, which generates a decrease in the water plaster ratio and an increase in density. The decrease in density from 17.41% is related to the large amount of fibers present that get tangled and cause voids since the plaster paste cannot infiltrate these places. In compression, the percentages between 3.37 and 26.19% are those that met the normative requirements (greater than 2 MPa), and in flexion the percentages between 0 and 27.23% are those that comply with the standard (greater than 1 MPa). The results showed that the use of Bambusa tuldoides as reinforcement is viable between 3.37 and 26.19% to meet all regulatory requirements.

Keywords
Chemical analysis; vegetal fibers; ceramic matrix