Inspired by the low density of wood and wood fiber boards, the present study addresses an
analysis about the characterization of a bio-inspired polymer composite material, or inspired
by nature. This polymeric composite material was manufactured in the laboratory from a
mixture of polyurethane resin based on castor oil with different percentages of added
sugarcane bagasse fiber (10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%). A comparison of the physical mechanical properties (density, moisture content, swelling in thickness for 24h, water
absorption for 24h, traction and flexion) between the bioinspired polymeric composites with
the addition of sugarcane bagasse, between different species of natural wood and low density
composite panels. The objective of this study was to obtain a polymeric composite material
bioinspired in the low density of the woods, manufactured from polyurethane resin based on
castor oil, replacing the use of urea-formaldehyde resin, with the addition of sugarcane
bagasse as a reinforcement and as a complete replacement for the use of wood particles. The
results of the density test configure the material as a low density board. In thickness swelling
tests, all materials are within the recommended by the CS 236 standard (1966), presented
results below 30%. In the water absorption test it was found that the bioinspired polymeric
composites showed an improvement in relation to hydrophilicity in comparison with the
agglomerated fiber panels associated with the wood particles. However, the moisture content
remained below the recommended range (between 5% and 13%) by the Brazilian Stardard
14810: 2 (2018) for chipboard panels. The composites evaluated presented values of modulus
of elasticity lower than that required by the CS 236 standard (1966), and only the percentage
of 30% of addition of sugarcane bagasse fiber met the referred norm for the result of rupture
modulus. There was no significant decrease in the physical-mechanical properties of
bioinspired polymeric composites using castor oil-based polyurethane resin, replacing the
urea-formaldehyde adhesive, and sugarcane bagasse fiber to replace wood particles, both
substitutions feasible. When taking into account all the parameters evaluated, the percentage
that presented the best physical-mechanical properties were the specimens with 30% of
addition of sugarcane bagasse fiber.
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