Uso de resíduos de fibra de vidro da indústria eólica na produção de compósitos matriz poliéster

Abstract

Over the last few years, investment in renewable sources of energy, especially wind power, increased due to concerns of environmental problems inflicted on the planet by the conventional means of energy generation. In this sense, with the increase in paddle production for wind turbine a big new environmental challenge emerged, the recycling of the residues generated in paddle manufacturing. In this context, aiming at a sustainable development, this work has the goal to recycle glass fiber residues, originated in the cutting sector of wind power industries, to produce composites of polyester matrix, as well as assess its mechanical properties. In the study four composites were manufactured, each one of the composites with different layers and arrangements of reinforcements, distinct of non-glass fiber unidirectional tissue (residues) and non-tissue of random glass fiber. The process of manufacturing used was the molding by cold compression. After molding the plaques were cut in testing bodies according to the norm ASTM D 3039 to evaluate the mechanical properties using the mechanical traction test. The results indicate that the incorporation of a glass fiber reinforcement in the polyester resin matrix, in all settings, provided improvement in the mechanical properties when compared to the control plaque (R), having an percentile increase in traction resistance at MV, TH, T1 and T2 of respectively: 709%, 255%, 299% e 325%. It was also observed an increase in the elasticity module in the order of, respectively: 366%, 225%, 298% e 293%. The composite reinforced only with the non-random tissue (MV) presented better mechanical properties due to the influence of angular orientation of the fiber and interfacial adhesion between the reinforcement and the matrix. The results corroborate the use of the glass fiber residue from the wind power industries as reinforcement in the production of polyester matrix composites, because the residue confers to the material more stiffness and resistance. Considering that the reinforcement is from industrial waste, the cost of production of composites can be reduced and the impacts on the environment minimized, resulting in a sustainable development. Is suggested the application of these composites in the construction.