CARACTERIZACIóN FíSICO-MECáNICA DE UN ALMIDóN TERMOPLáSTICO (TPS) DE YUCA Y ANáLISIS INTERFACIAL CON FIBRAS DE FIQUE

in order to assess the feasibility of reinforcing a thermoplastic starch (tps) matrix with fique fibers, were tested using micro-mechanical technique of pull-out. tps was obtained from plasticization, with glycerol, of native cassava starch (manihot sculenta crantz) using an extrusion process. to estimate the interfacial shear strength (iss) were used both native and modified surface fique fibers, from an alkaline treatment. for the preparation of test specimens tps was pelletized, milled and then molding in the form of plates as a process of compression molding, the material was conditioned at 25°c and 54% of relative humidity, prior to physical-chemical and mechanical. it was found that the tps presented a moisture absorption at equilibrium of about 10.5% and maximum strength, elastic modulus and tensile strain of 1.5 mpa, 42.5 mpa and 26% respectively. furthermore, it was the interfacial shear strength (iss) between tps and the fibers increased with surface treatment fique, which was also due to increased roughness achieved with the alkalization.