Processing and characterization of polyethylene/starch/curauá composites: Potential for application as thermal insulated coating

Nowadays, to develop products with lower impact without harming the environment. The aim of this work was to develop a polymer composite based in thermoplastic starch (TPS), maleate polyethylene (PE-g-MA) and curauá fiber in the proportion of 10%, 20% and 30 wt%. The resulting material was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile test, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. The developed composite was applied on ceramic blocks and subjected to natural sunlight; its thermal behavior was monitored using infrared thermography. Thermography was effective for identifying temperature differences in samples of polymer composites with different percentages of fiber and allowed to monitor the thermal behavior. The results show that the manufactured composites have potential for use as thermal insulated building element.