Study of the Mechanical Behavior of Papyrus Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Abstract

G S Costa, T C Soares, M A Rocha and N C Loureiro

This work investigates the feasibility of papyrus fiber laminates as sustainable composite materials. Cyperus Papyrus stems were harvested, processed into longitudinal strips, hydrated, and cross woven to form laminated sheets. These were bonded with commercial polyvinyl acetate adhesive and subjected to tensile testing according to ISO 527 4. The composite exhibited average tensile strength of 3.32 MPa, elastic modulus of 149.3 MPa, and elongation of 3.58%. Although lower than conventional synthetic composites, the material demonstrated competitive performance compared to lightweight polymeric foams and certain natural fiber composites. The study highlights the potential of papyrus laminates for low load, biodegradable applications, bridging ancestral fabrication techniques with modern sustainable engineering.

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