Caracterización morfologica de la fibra de fique(furcraea andina) para uso en obras de bioingeniería

Abstract

In order to mitigate the damage to the environment, natural fibers are used in this case fique (Furcraea andina) as raw material for the elaboration of a slope erosion control geomat, in a way that facilitates the establishment of natural vegetation providing better ground stability. For this, a surface morphological characterization of the natural fiber was developed, such as the shape, texture and chemical composition by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), carbon dioxide physisorption at 273K, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). ); thus determining the morphological characteristics and possible performance and durability. Cell wall measurements, cell width and average fiber thickness of 196.97 µm were obtained by SEM as well as cell orientation. Problems arose when visualizing the porosities, so it is recommended that for the preparation of natural fibers in cross-sections, a microtome cut is first made before passing it to the microscope for better observation. By means of infrared spectroscopy, it was found that the material begins to lose water at 117°C and is almost completely denatured when the cellulose does so at 345°C, which must be taken into account when choosing an additive and its impregnation. . At the same time, due to the physisorption of carbon dioxide, it was concluded that the fiber is not compatible with it, so it will not be compatible with compounds with Lewis acid behavior as electron acceptor due to the number of hydroxyls on its surface as was seen on the FTIR.