Development of a Sustainable Thermoplastic Composite Material Using <i>Manicaria saccifera</i> Fabric and Elium® Resin

Abstract

The massive production of nonrenewable materials has exacerbated global environmental challenges, necessitating the development of sustainable alternatives. This study explores the potential of the Manicaria saccifera fabric, an indigenous Colombian natural fabric extracted directly from the waste of the Manicaria palm bracts, as reinforcement for Elium® 188 O resin, a recyclable thermoplastic matrix. Using Vacuum-Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM), unidirectional natural fiber composites (NFCs) were manufactured and characterized for their physical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The NFCs demonstrated improved mechanical performance, particularly in the longitudinal fiber orientation, with increases of 61% in tensile strength, 67% in elastic modulus, and 22% in impact strength compared to the neat resin. The developed composite could be used in applications where esthetics and sustainability are a plus, such as in the automotive, construction, and marine industries.