Technological performance of açaí natural fibre reinforced cement-based mortars

Abstract

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) is a fruit from forests typical of South American countries, such as Brazil. The fruit is harvested from palm trees and later processed to produce several food and aesthetic products that bear considerable health benefits. The processing of açaí generates substantial amounts of waste, such as natural fibres, which are generally disposed of in landfills. The objective of this work is to evaluate the technological performance of adding açaí fibre (with additions of 1.5%, 3.0% and 5.0% relative to cement mass) in its natural condition and after surface treatment with NaOH in mortars based on cement and lime. Açaí fibre was physically, chemically and microscopically characterised. The properties of consistency, water retention, incorporated air content, mechanical strength (compression and flexion), mass density (fresh and hardened state), capillary water absorption and durability (wetting and drying cycles) were analysed as well. Results show that açaí fibres in additions of up to 3.0% relative to cement mass and properly treated with NaOH solution can be used as reinforcement mechanism for mortar applications.