Caracterização química e morfológica das fibras do pseudocaule da bananeira (MUSA SPP.) para reforço em novos materiais compósitos

Abstract

In this work, the pseudostem was divided into four different fractions for chemical composition and morphology analysis: the outside (E), with green and open blades; inner part (I), with yellowish and open blades; central part (C), with white, fragile and concentric blades; and palm (P), with a fibrous, fragile and white single piece. We observed an increase of extractives and a decrease in the percentage of lignin content. The EI group has less moisture and ash than the CP group, but a higher holocellulose content. The morphology of the samples was analyzed by SEM. EI group has fibers packed in large bundles. The CP group also has such configuration, but exhibits thin fibers, like a tube. Thus, the EI group has structural function and the CP group serves to nutrients transport, and the first must be used for incorporation into composite materials.