Polymeric coatings may act as a physical barrier between the aggressive ions and the metal substrate. However, prolonged exposure may cause damage to the polymer coating, leading to a continuous reduction of the barrier effect and consequently loss of the corrosion protection. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS), cellulose and polyaniline emeraldine-salt (PAni ES) in an epoxy coating on the corrosion protection of mild steel. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW) functionalized or not with PAni ES were used and compared. The coating properties were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), salt spray test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface of the carbon steel, after 1000 h of exposure, did not present evidence of superficial corrosion. Polymer coatings using CNW and PAni ES showed improved corrosion protection properties even after 90 days of immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The greatest increase in the corrosion resistance of the coating was found by EIS for the epoxy coating reinforced with CNW functionalized with PAni ES, revealing a synergistic effect of the electroactivity of a conducting polymer and nanosized cellulose particles.

Composites consisting of waste cotton yarn (CF) from the textile industry and postconsumer expanded polystyrene (EPS) was followed during 90 days of exposure in simulated soil. The mechanical properties, morphologies and chemical natures of the composites were determined before and after exposure in simulated soil. The composites were made using a single-screw extrusion, a twin-screw extrusion and injection molding. The composites showed an increase of the mechanical properties nearly 50% in relation to the recycled expanded polystyrene (rEPS). After exposure in simulated soil the composites presented losses of mechanical properties. Evidence of the oxidation of the samples was demonstrated by the increase in the values of the carbonyl index after 30 days of exposure in simulated soil. Changes in the color of the surface of the sample were observed after 90 days of exposure and are due to the fungi and bacteria colonization on the surface.

O objetivo deste trabalho é utilizar fibras de algodão como material de reforço em materiais compósitos poliméricos utilizando o poliestireno como matriz e o poli(estireno-co-anidrido maleico) como agente compatibilizante. Os compósitos foram desenvolvidos em uma extrusora dupla-rosca co-rotacional, precedidos de uma pré-mistura em extrusora mono-rosca e moldados por injeção. Os compósitos foram avaliados mediante ensaios mecânicos, térmicos, termo dinâmico-mecânico e de morfologia dos compósitos produzidos. Os ensaios de flexão e tração mostram que a adição de 20% de fibra de algodão faz com que essas propriedades aumentem, sendo esse efeito intensificado em presença de compatibilizante. Observou-se aumento da resistência ao impacto com adição de carga; porém, os compósitos com compatibilizante apresentaram resultados inferiores. A HDT para os compósitos com 20% de fibra de algodão foi de aproximadamente 7 ºC. Por meio do TGA, observa-se que a adição de fibras de algodão desloca o início da perda de massa para temperaturas próximas a 200 ºC. Na análise de DMTA, observa-se que, com a adição da fibra de algodão, ocorre aumento na rigidez e no módulo de armazenamento. As micrografias mostram redução no pull-out das fibras, devido a uma maior adesão fibra/matriz, com a utilização do agente compatibilizante.

The aim of this work is to use cotton fibers as reinforcement in polymeric composites materials using polystyrene as matrix and poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) coupling agent. The composites were developed by first mixing in a single screw extruder and a co-rotation parallel twin screw extruder and injection molded. The composites were characterized by analysis mechanical, thermal, dynamic mechanical thermal and morphology. The results from the flexural and tensile strength demonstrate that the addition of 20% cotton fibers tends to increase in these properties; however there is increase when using a coupling agent. The impact resistance increased with the increase of load; however the results of the composites with coupling agent were lower than those without. The temperature of thermal deflection increased for all composites, but the increase for the composites with 20% cotton fiber was approximately 7 ºC. The results show that the addition of cotton fibers changes the initial temperature of wheight loss for the composites to temperatures close to 200 ºC. The DMTA analysis showed increasing in stiffness and the storage modulus with cotton addition. The micrographs showed a reduction in the pull-out fibers, due to a greater adhesion fiber / matrix with the use of compatibilizer.