ABSTRACT Composite materials using vegetal fibers and industrial waste are being applied in different areas and structures, requiring, more and more, researches that highlight their characteristics. In this context, the study of manufacturing techniques becomes increasingly necessary in order to use the appropriate tools and obtain the best conditions of the materials. Thus, this article demonstrates the behavior of the materials, which used the polyester resin with ground paper residue to generate the two composites studied in this paper, Polyester/smaller paper (PO/ PME) and Polyester/large paper (PO/PMA). These two materials were molded by hot compression and subjected to manufacturing processes. Joinery equipment were chosen for the experimentation of cutting, drilling, screw insertion and sanding to analyze the performance of these composite materials. As a general result, it can be observed that the composites maintained their physical integrity, because the particles of the load remained well anchored in the matrix in the two composite materials tested, giving the finish an aspect without damages, cracks or imperfections after the operations. Therefore, it is concluded that the materials created can be submitted to the manufacturing techniques evaluated in this article, reinforcing previous studies that suggest its use in the development of products such as furniture, table tops, decorative objects and others. Thus, this study contributes to Designer has knowledge of the potential of the material and make the best use of it.

ABSTRACT Castor oil is widely used in chemical industry as raw material for paints, coatings, lubricants and a wide variety of other products. It is an important alternative to petrochemical feedstocks for the synthesis of polyurethanes (PU), besides being cost competitive and environmentally friendly alternative. It is used as a substitute for formaldehyde adhesives to produce composites and particleboards. Higher percentages of the resin tend to cause low water absorption and dimensional changes in the panels, so it has potential to use as waterproofing of natural materials. Bottle gourd is a fruit, used worldwide by different peoples as a raw material for the production of artifacts since many thousands of years. After the drying period, the inner part of the shell acquires characteristics similar to wood and the outer shell becomes impermeable. The objective of the work is increasing the durability and extend the useful life of the bottle gourd for use in the product design by waterproofing the material with polyurethane resin derived from castor oil. Untreated samples were compared with one and two layer resin samples. For the water absorption test, reference was made to standard NBR 15316: Medium density fiberboard. The analysis of the results was made through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), water absorption test and contact angle. As a result, the application of the PU resin of castor oil reduced the water absorption indexes, and the samples with two layers of resin obtained the best results.

Abstract Colorless quartz can develop a green color when submitted to gamma irradiation and its development is related to the presence of molecular water and hydroxyl groups in the quartz crystalline structure. In the present study, colorless quartz crystals hosted in geodes within rhyodacites of Serra Geral Group, Southern Brazil, were selected to test the potential development of green color. The samples were analyzed by infrared (IR) and thermogravimetric (TGA) techniques, in addition to the Amethyst Factor (fa) method. All samples showed an absorption bands in the IR, indicating possible development of a green or purple color, and fa analysis indicated the samples would develop a green color. All samples became colored after irradiation, presenting color zoning: from colorless to grayish-green, and from grayish-green to slightly purplish. Some samples showed a greenish colored zone and developed an amethyst phantom crystal in its apical portion. In addition, a high content of water in samples that remained colorless after irradiation was detected. It is here interpreted that water concentration varied during quartz crystallization, enabling the development of the green color, and that the excess of water can inhibit the development of radiation-induced color in colorless natural quartz crystals.

ABSTRACT Concerns for the environment are recurrent in our society, and research on low impact materials such as those produced from waste is an alternative. This work is based on the reuse of scrap paper and rice hulls aiming to increase the life cycle of these waste products and to find better destination. Composites with a volumetric filler content (dispersed phase) of 80% were produced via compression molding using polyurethane (PU) based on castor oil or polyester resin as matrix, in four distinct families: polyester/rice hulls, PU/rice hulls, polyester/paper and PU/paper. The following tests were performed: water sorption, contact angle, hardness, impact and tensile testing. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for fracture morphology study. Basic visual analysis showed greater void content for the rice hull composites, making them less aesthetically appealing compared to paper. It was observed in the case of PU matrix the filler greatly influenced the rigidity since this pure material was more flexible compared to pure polyester. Filler incorporation decreased tensile strength of the polyester matrix but significantly increased that of the PU matrix.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze the waterproofing MDF with different coatings. For this, a comparative study was conducted with the following coatings on MDF: Vegetable polyurethane resin on castor oil-based, acrylic lacquer and marine varnish. To carry out the research, sewed up the samples in sequence, they received the coatings, and then we performed the test water absorption. As a result, the polyurethane resin to castor oil-based coating was presented the best results, that is, lower levels of water absorption lower thickness swelling and volume. Finally, it is believed that the study of waterproofing MDF plant originated from polyurethane castor oil is beneficial because it is a renewable source of material.