Evaluation of Mechanical Behavior and Application Potential of Totora (<i>Schoenoplectus californicus</i>)-and-Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene–Aluminum (LDPE–Al) Hybrid Panels
The growing demand for sustainable materials has driven significant interest in composites reinforced with organic fibers, due to their mechanical performance, availability, and reduced environmental impact. This study investigates the mechanical behavior of two composite configurations: a cross-wov...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/13/2212 |
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| author | Oscar Jara-Vinueza Wilson Pavon Abel Remache Flavio Arroyo Michael Gutiérrez Edgar Mora Figueroa |
| author_facet | Oscar Jara-Vinueza Wilson Pavon Abel Remache Flavio Arroyo Michael Gutiérrez Edgar Mora Figueroa |
| author_sort | Oscar Jara-Vinueza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The growing demand for sustainable materials has driven significant interest in composites reinforced with organic fibers, due to their mechanical performance, availability, and reduced environmental impact. This study investigates the mechanical behavior of two composite configurations: a cross-woven fabric and a sandwich-type panel, both made from totora (<i>Schoenoplectus californicus</i>) and low-density polyethylene–aluminum (LDPE–Al). Our experimental results show that the cross-woven variant achieved higher impact resistance (2.51 J), tensile strength (5.82 MPa), and greater deformation capacity (6.76%), making it more suitable for applications requiring energy absorption and flexibility, such as interior cladding and modular furniture. In contrast, the sandwich configuration exhibited superior stiffness (910 MPa), favoring structural panels and low-load roofing uses. This research distinguishes itself by integrating biodegradable totora fibers with recycled LDPE–Al to fabricate sustainable construction components, advancing circular economy principles while addressing limitations in previous composite formulations through improved mechanical balance and application-specific performance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-42409da764244dacb082c7e9fc0c28a5 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-42409da764244dacb082c7e9fc0c28a52025-08-20T03:16:47ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-06-011513221210.3390/buildings15132212Evaluation of Mechanical Behavior and Application Potential of Totora (<i>Schoenoplectus californicus</i>)-and-Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene–Aluminum (LDPE–Al) Hybrid PanelsOscar Jara-Vinueza0Wilson Pavon1Abel Remache2Flavio Arroyo3Michael Gutiérrez4Edgar Mora Figueroa5Architecture and Design Department, Universidad Universidad de Las Américas, Quito EC170125, EcuadorFacultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería e Industrias, Universidad UTE, Quito EC170129, EcuadorFacultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Carrera de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito EC170146, EcuadorFacultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Carrera de Ingeniería en Diseño Industrial, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito EC170146, EcuadorFacultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Carrera de Ingeniería en Diseño Industrial, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito EC170146, EcuadorEcuaplastic SC, Av. Intervalles, Quito EC170146, EcuadorThe growing demand for sustainable materials has driven significant interest in composites reinforced with organic fibers, due to their mechanical performance, availability, and reduced environmental impact. This study investigates the mechanical behavior of two composite configurations: a cross-woven fabric and a sandwich-type panel, both made from totora (<i>Schoenoplectus californicus</i>) and low-density polyethylene–aluminum (LDPE–Al). Our experimental results show that the cross-woven variant achieved higher impact resistance (2.51 J), tensile strength (5.82 MPa), and greater deformation capacity (6.76%), making it more suitable for applications requiring energy absorption and flexibility, such as interior cladding and modular furniture. In contrast, the sandwich configuration exhibited superior stiffness (910 MPa), favoring structural panels and low-load roofing uses. This research distinguishes itself by integrating biodegradable totora fibers with recycled LDPE–Al to fabricate sustainable construction components, advancing circular economy principles while addressing limitations in previous composite formulations through improved mechanical balance and application-specific performance.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/13/2212mechanical characterizationtotoraLDPE–Acomposite materialsnatural fiberssustainable materials |
| spellingShingle | Oscar Jara-Vinueza Wilson Pavon Abel Remache Flavio Arroyo Michael Gutiérrez Edgar Mora Figueroa Evaluation of Mechanical Behavior and Application Potential of Totora (<i>Schoenoplectus californicus</i>)-and-Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene–Aluminum (LDPE–Al) Hybrid Panels Buildings mechanical characterization totora LDPE–A composite materials natural fibers sustainable materials |
| title | Evaluation of Mechanical Behavior and Application Potential of Totora (<i>Schoenoplectus californicus</i>)-and-Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene–Aluminum (LDPE–Al) Hybrid Panels |
| title_full | Evaluation of Mechanical Behavior and Application Potential of Totora (<i>Schoenoplectus californicus</i>)-and-Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene–Aluminum (LDPE–Al) Hybrid Panels |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of Mechanical Behavior and Application Potential of Totora (<i>Schoenoplectus californicus</i>)-and-Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene–Aluminum (LDPE–Al) Hybrid Panels |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of Mechanical Behavior and Application Potential of Totora (<i>Schoenoplectus californicus</i>)-and-Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene–Aluminum (LDPE–Al) Hybrid Panels |
| title_short | Evaluation of Mechanical Behavior and Application Potential of Totora (<i>Schoenoplectus californicus</i>)-and-Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene–Aluminum (LDPE–Al) Hybrid Panels |
| title_sort | evaluation of mechanical behavior and application potential of totora i schoenoplectus californicus i and recycled low density polyethylene aluminum ldpe al hybrid panels |
| topic | mechanical characterization totora LDPE–A composite materials natural fibers sustainable materials |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/13/2212 |
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