Micromechanical Characterization of a Polymer Composite Reinforced with Natural Fibers PP/GAK

This doctoral thesis project focuses on characterizing the micro-mechanical properties of a polymer composite reinforced with short natural fibers from Guadua Angustifolia Kunth (GAK), a highly available material in Ecuador and Colombia, for potential structural use. The main challenge addressed is the poor adhesion between the hydrophilic fiber and the hydrophobic matrix, which limits the composite's mechanical properties. The methodology involves isolating GAK fibers, modifying their surface through chemical treatments (NaOH) and physical treatments (thermo-mechanical, cold plasma) to improve the interface, and evaluating the effect of MAPP coupling. Physicochemical characterizations (IR, TGA, DSC, DRX) and micro-mechanical tests (micro-tensile, pull-out, DMA) will be performed on the treated fibers and the composite. Furthermore, artificial vision techniques will be used to determine fiber orientation, and results will be numerically validated using finite element simulations. The ultimate goal is to advance the understanding of the micro-mechanical behavior of these materials before their potential industrial scaling, aiming to optimize the production process.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To characterize the micro-mechanical and morphological properties of a new polymer matrix composite bio-material reinforced with short natural fibers from Guadua Angustifolia Kunth (GAK), studying the influence of different fiber orientation states through experimental techniques and computational simulations.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Development and characterization of biomaterials and biobased materials