The Amazonian region of South America is known for its diversified number of plants from which food, medicine, wood and fibers have, since long time, been produced by local natives. A typical example is the guarumã (“guaruman”as suggested English spelling) scientifically identified as Ischinosiphon koem, an abundant plant found in the low lands alongside rivers of the state of Para in Brazil. Fibers extracted from the stem of the guaruman are used in ropes and baskets owing to their strength. In the present work, the possibility of applying guaruman fibers as reinforcement of polymer matrix composites is, for the first time, investigated. Amounts up to 30 vol% of continuous and aligned fibers were incorporates into epoxy matrix composites. Density measurements disclosed the guaruman to be one of the lightest natural fibers. Tensile tests indicate that the guaruman fiber addition was able to improve the composite elastic modulus. However, no significant change was found in the ultimate strength, total strain and resilience. On the other hand, a cost-effective analysis revealed a substantial reduction of ~29% in the epoxy composite price due to the incorporation of fibers. Preliminary ballistic evaluation disclosed a potential for application of guaruman epoxy composites in multilayered armor.

The plastic instability in the stress-strain curve and work hardening of a type AISI 316 austenitic stainless steel was investigated in the high temperature range of 150°C to 800°C for two strain rates. The results indicate the occurrence of plastic instability and serrations between 200°C and 650°C with peaks in both the tensile strength and work hardening rate. These plastic instability/serrations are associated with dynamic strain aging behavior. As a consequence, within the temperature interval of plastic instability, a negative value for the strain rate sensitivity was found. Based on the activation energy, it is proposed that a mechanism of substitutional solute atoms interaction with dislocations be responsible for the plastic instability.