Desenvolvimento de geotêxtil revestido com látex como elemento de proteção em superfícies aquecidas

Abstract

A lot is being researched nowadays about renewable sources of energy and sustainable materials that aim to decrease the impact caused on the environment. Materials rejected that once had the trash as destination, currently are seen in another way. This present paper had as purpose the confection of a geotextile using banana tree leaves, in particular, fibers extracted from the stem of the banana tree leaves, which presently, are recognized as one of the strongest cellulosic fibers. As a natural geotextile matrix, latex was used and, subsequently, possible applications for the geotextile were analysed through previous material characterization based on literature. Samples were weaved and coated in latex, and, soon after, a verification and analyses of physical, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties were made. Such properties were obtained throughout tests like: Tensile Strength, Flammability, Analysis Thermogravimetric (TG), Water and Humidity Absorption, Aging by Cycle and by Water, Abrasion, Linear Density, Grammage, Biodegradation, Environmental Degradation and Thermal Conductivity. According to the analysis results, it was possible to conclude that the geotextile can be used as surfaces coating, because beside being high tensile strength, even heated, the goetextile presented a low thermal conductivity (0,214W/mK). That fact means that the material is a thermal insulator. Also, it was conclude that the natural composite acquire the properties such as thermal and mechanical strength from the banana tree fibers combined with the elongation from thermoplastic elastomer latex. Such result did not compromise the hygroscopicity of the fiber. Finally, it could be concluded that the material is sustainable, does not damage the environment and fulfil the coating function, a characteristic expected.