Impact of hybrid composites based on rubber tyres particles and sugarcane bagasse fibres

The paper describes the impact behaviour of hybrid composites made of sugarcane bagasse fibres and disposed rubber particles. The analysis was carried out using a full factorial design (25) on samples subjected to drop-tower testing. The effects of the bagasse fibre treatment, length and weight fraction were considered, as well as the rubber particles size and their amount. Higher weight fractions of coarse rubber particles led to an enhancement of the absorption. Sustained chemical treatments of the bagasse fibres provided an increase of the composites stiffness, reducing therefore the energy absorption. In contrast, higher energy absorption was obtained in composites made with untreated bagasse because of the enhanced fibre pull-out mechanism.