Grape rachis in composites manufacturing

Abstract

The study aims to verify the possibility of using grape rachises in the production of composites. Three different proportions of pine wood (Pinus eliottii) and grape rachis, glued with urea-formaldehyde adhesive, were used. Assessment of composite quality consisted of the determination of physical properties: moisture content; specific mass; water absorption and thickness swelling after 2 and 24 h of immersion; and mechanical properties: static bending; screw withdrawal and Janka hardness. Histological slides were made for anatomical visualization of particles and analysis in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to verify adhesion in the composites. Thephysical and mechanical properties were negatively affected by the addition of grape rachis particles. This may be due to a large part of the anatomical constitution of this material to be medullary cells, different from wood particles. General assessments of the results indicate the technical feasibility of using grape rachis for the production of composites.