Thermal properties of recycled polystyrene composite reinforced with cellulose from sugarcane bagasse

ABSTRACT Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a recyclable polymer widely used in the manufacture of packaging for acoustic insulation, protection of durable consumer goods and in the construction industry. The PS is easily recyclable with increasing temperature, giving new materials. However, thermal properties can be affected, mainly if added of natural fibers. In this context, this work objective to study the thermal properties of recycled polystyrene composites reinforced with cellulose fibers from sugarcane bagasse. The recycled composites of PS reinforced 10 and 20 wt% cellulose bagasse were obtained by extrusion, and characterized by thermal analysis thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and heat deflection temperature (HDT). The results showed that the fibers rich in residual lignin act as reinforcement improving the stiffness of the material with the addition of the fibers, as well as promoted the increase of the heat deflection temperature for the composites. The thermal stability of the composites is intermediate between the fiber and matrix, decreasing with the increase of fibers content. Therefore, it is concluded that the use of EPS as a matrix in the obtainment composites reinforced with natural fibers is viable and suggest the use of this residue as an excellent alternative for the recycling industry.

摘要：发泡聚苯乙烯（Expanded polystyrene, EPS）是一种可回收聚合物，广泛应用于隔音隔热包装、耐用消费品防护包装以及建筑业。聚苯乙烯（Polystyrene, PS）随温度升高易于回收，可制备再生新材料，但其热性能易受影响，尤其是在添加天然纤维的情况下。在此研究背景下，本工作旨在探究蔗渣纤维素纤维增强再生聚苯乙烯复合材料的热性能。本研究通过挤出成型工艺制备了添加10%、20%质量分数蔗渣纤维素的聚苯乙烯再生复合材料，并通过热重分析（Thermogravimetric Analysis, TGA）、差示扫描量热法（Differential Scanning Calorimetry, DSC）、动态力学分析（Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, DMA）及热变形温度（Heat Deflection Temperature, HDT）等手段对其进行了表征。结果表明，富含残留木质素的纤维可起到增强作用，提升材料刚度，同时提高了复合材料的热变形温度。复合材料的热稳定性介于纤维与基体之间，且随纤维添加量的增加而降低。综上，本研究证实以发泡聚苯乙烯作为基体制备天然纤维增强复合材料具有可行性，且该蔗渣残渣可作为回收产业的优质替代原料。