Environmentally friendly polymer composites basedon PBAT reinforced with natural fibers fromthe amazon forest

Biodegradable composites based on poly(butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and three differentnaturalfibers (Croton lanjouwensis—Fiber C,Malvas-trum tomentosum—Fiber M, andTrema micrantha—Fiber T) from the Amazon forest have been reported forthefirst time. Naturalfibers were extracted throughmechanical processing and the composites were pre-pared by melt mixing procedure. All composites showedgreater modulus of elasticity than neat polymer and thisimprovement varies according to the type offiber usedas reinforcement. Addition of Fiber C increased 48% themodulus of elasticity of the polymer, while the additionof the Fibers M and T increased 70 and 72% the modu-lus of elasticity of the PBAT, respectively. The resultsreported in the present work support the idea that theabove-mentioned naturalfibers can be used asfillermaterial to obtain environmentally friendly polymer com-posites with improved properties.POLYM. COMPOS.,40:3351–3360, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers408335133602016/09588-9; 2016/08295-1NÃO TEMNÃO TEMFAPESP – Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa Do Estado De São PauloFAPESP – Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa Do Estado De São PauloCAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal e Nível SuperiorCNPQ - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológic