ABSTRACT
In this work, composites of polyester resin reinforced with ramie fiber bidirectional woven cloth in different content by volume have been produced and characterized. These composites were tested experimentally and numerically as faces of sandwiches panels with cores of sponge gourd impregnated with polyester resin and expanded polystyrene-EPS. Mechanical characterization of these materials was conducted in the laboratory from tensile and bending tests, and numerical simulation using Finite Element Method (FEM). The composite was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties obtained for the composites and cores showed viable making sandwich panels for application in construction. The composites with 50% volume fibers presented the best mechanical properties and have been used as faces in prototypes of the panels. The cores in study showed good results, with emphasis on the sponge gourd impregnated with polyester resin, which showed the highest stiffness and making options with larger and thinner panels. The present study showed the potential of natural fibers for use as reinforcing of polymeric composites and sandwich panels cores and so a new alternative use of these fibers for applications in the construction.
Keywords:
Composite; Ramie fiber; Sponge gourd fiber; Sandwich panel; Polyester resin.
