Development and Mechanical Evaluation of a Biocomposite Based on Abaca Fiber and Acrylic Resin
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/dm2025823Keywords:
Abaca, Biocomposite, Nonwoven, Elongation, Tensile strengthAbstract
The biocomposite made from a nonwoven abaca fiber reinforced with acrylic resin is proposed as an ecological alternative to synthetic leather. The objective of this research was to develop and characterize the material, evaluating the effect of two variables: the length of the abaca fiber (2 cm and 5 cm) and the concentration of acrylic resin (70% and 80%). The manufacturing process consisted of immersing the nonwoven fabric in the resin solution, followed by drying at 120°C. A completely randomized 2² factorial design was implemented, with a total of 20 experimental runs. The response variables were tensile strength and elongation, evaluated using a Titan 5 James Heal dynamometer under ISO 1421. Statistical analysis was performed using Statgraphics Centurion software and revealed that fiber length has a significant positive effect on tensile strength, while elongation is less relevant. The results obtained with 5 cm fibers and 70% acrylic resin achieved a tensile strength of 118,3 N; in terms of elongation, the value obtained was 50,2 mm with 2 cm fibers and 70% resin. Taken together, these findings position vegetable leather as a functional and sustainable material with high potential for application in the textile and composite materials industries.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Angelo Zambrano, Elsa Mora Muñoz , Marco Naranjo Toro (Author)
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