Compósitos cimentícios reforçados com fibra de bananeira (Musa spp.).

Abstract

The search for new materials in the construction industry, from renewable sources, has intensified more and more. The use of plant fibers in building materials appears as an alternative, due to their abundance and low cost. This work aimed to test the viability of banana fibers (Musa spp.) as reinforcement of cementitious composites. The specimens were molded in percentages of 0, 1 and 2% of fiber from the banana tree cover. Physical tests of water absorption reflection and apparent appearance, and mechanical tests of resistance to attraction were carried out. The results showed that the incorporation of fibers to the composite resulted in a decrease in apparent density and promoted an increase in water absorption. For mechanical tests, the addition of fibers in the percentages of 1 and 2% significantly interfered in the results, decreasing the tensile strength in bending and the resistance to compression in the evaluated composites. Therefore, future studies are necessary to improve performance in reinforced cementitious composites with banana fibers, which must include a careful analysis as to the content of fiber moisture, in addition to a previous treatment of the fibers in order to reduce the absorption of water and improve the adhesion between the reinforcement and the cement matrix.