No description available.

Neste trabalho foram obtidos nanocompósitos contendo 0, 1, 2, 5 e 10% (m/m) de argila organofílica montmorilonita cloisite 30B, contendo terminações hidroxila, por processamento reativo entre um pré-polímero com terminações isocianato e o 1,4-butanodiol, utilizando-se um misturador fechado. Os resultados mostraram que os poliuretanos termoplásticos sintetizados foram obtidos com sucesso. A adição de montmorilonita nos TPUs ocasionou a formação de folhas de argila dispersas de maneira intercalada, parcialmente esfoliada, esfoliada e aglomerados na matriz do TPU. Com a adição da argila houve modificações nos comportamentos de cristalização, estabilidade térmcica e mecanismo de degradação, assim como um aumento nos valores de energia aparente de ativação deste processo. A mobilidade de alguns segmentos poliméricos também foi alterada com a adição da argila. Portanto modificações morfológicas e viscoelásticas foram observadas para os nanocompósitos em dependência da quantidade de argila organofílica empregada, assim como a adição da organoargila alterou o comportamento térmico do poliuretano termoplástico, tornando os nanocompósitos mais suscetíveis a mudanças nos processos de fusão e cristalização em função da exposição a temperaturas elevadas. / In this study, were obtained nanocomposites containing 0, 1, 2, 5 and 10% (w/w) of organophilic clay montmorillonite Cloisite 30B, containing hydroxyl terminations, by reactive processing between a prepolymer with isocyanate terminations and 1,4-butanediol, using a closed mixer. The analysis showed that the obtained thermoplastic polyurethanes were synthesized successfully. The addition of the montmorillonite in the TPUs resulted in the formation of sheets of clay dispersed in order intercalated, partially exfoliated, exfoliated and agglomerate in the TPU matrix. With the addition of clay there were changes in the behavior of crystallization, thermal stability and degradation mechanism, as well as an increase in the values of the apparent activation energy of this process. The mobility of certain polymer segments was also changed with the addition of the clay. Therefore viscoelastic and morphological changes were observed in the nanocomposites in dependence on the amount of organophilic clay used, as well as the addition of the organophilic decreased the thermal stability of the thermoplastic polyurethane, making nanocomposites more susceptible to changes in the melting and crystallization processes due to exposure to elevated temperatures.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-09-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:59:49Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 faria_mcm_me_guara.pdf: 1588754 bytes, checksum: 9b1c6339bf770de5c7936e9e915a4c01 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O contínuo crescimento na utilização de compósitos termoplásticos em componentes estruturais na indústria aeroespacial deve-se, primordialmente, à flexibilidade de projeto, excelência de suas propriedades mecânicas e baixa massa específica, aliadas aos elevados valores de resistência mecânica e rigidez e baixa incidência de corrosão, atendendo aos severos requisitos de desempenho dessas estruturas quando em serviço. No entanto, componentes que requerem exigências estruturais, quando expostos a ambientes agressivos como elevada temperatura e umidade, podem ter suas propriedades mecânicas sensibilizadas por esses fatores ambientais, e devem ser cuidadosamente avaliados antes de serem colocados em serviço. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar a influência do condicionamento higrotérmico (câmara climática e imersão em banho termostatizado) nas propriedades mecânicas (resistências à tração, fadiga e cisalhamento) e viscoelásticas de laminados PPS/Carbono e PPS/Vidro. Os laminados utilizados neste trabalho foram fornecidos pela empresa holandesa TenCate. Os resultados mostram que os laminados condicionados em câmara climática apresentaram absorção de umidade segundo as leis de Fick, entretanto, os laminados de PPS/Vidro submetidos ao condicionamento por imersão em banho termostatizado apresentaram um comportamento anômalo. Associado a estes resultados foi também observado que os laminados condicionados tiveram um decréscimo no valor de suas resistências ao cisalhamento, entretanto, apresentaram um aumento nos valores de temperatura de transição vítrea e resistência à tração. Os resultados obtidos a partir dos ensaios de fadiga praticamente não sofreram alteração com o condicionamento ambiental. A partir dos resultados obtidos neste trabalho, pode ser concluído que a utilização de laminados de PPS/Carbono e PPS/Vidro em aplicações... / The continuous use of thermoplastic composites in structural components of aerospace industry is due to essentially to the project flexibility, good mechanical properties and low specific mass, allied with elevated values of mechanical strength and rigidity and low corrosion incidence, attempted to severe requirements of these structures in service. However, components that require structural demand, when exposed in aggressive atmosphere such as high temperature and moisture, can have mechanical properties sensibility for these factors, and should be carefully studied before to be available in service. This way, the purpose of this work is to evaluate the hygrothermal conditioning influence (by using hygrothermal chamber and thermostatic bath immersion) on the mechanical properties (tensile strength fatigue and interlaminar shear) and on the viscoelastic behavior of PPS/carbon and PPS/glass laminates. The laminates used in this work were supplied by TenCate Dutch Company. The results obtained shows that conditioning laminates in hygrothermal chamber presented moisture absorption according to the Fick‟s law, however, the PPS/glass laminates submitted to thermostatic bath immersion presented a anomalous behavior. Associated to these results, it was also observed that the conditioned laminates had a decrease of shear strength values, however, presented an increase of glass transition temperature and tensile strength values. Results obtained according to fatigue tests practically do not change with the atmosphere conditioning. According to the results obtained in this work can be concluded that the use of thermoplastic laminates in aerospace applications is viable, because these laminates are less susceptible to atmosphere effect problems.

Neste trabalho foram obtidos nanocompósitos contendo 0, 1, 2, 5 e 10% (m/m) de argila organofílica montmorilonita cloisite 30B, contendo terminações hidroxila, por processamento reativo entre um pré-polímero com terminações isocianato e o 1,4-butanodiol, utilizando-se um misturador fechado. Os resultados mostraram que os poliuretanos termoplásticos sintetizados foram obtidos com sucesso. A adição de montmorilonita nos TPUs ocasionou a formação de folhas de argila dispersas de maneira intercalada, parcialmente esfoliada, esfoliada e aglomerados na matriz do TPU. Com a adição da argila houve modificações nos comportamentos de cristalização, estabilidade térmcica e mecanismo de degradação, assim como um aumento nos valores de energia aparente de ativação deste processo. A mobilidade de alguns segmentos poliméricos também foi alterada com a adição da argila. Portanto modificações morfológicas e viscoelásticas foram observadas para os nanocompósitos em dependência da quantidade de argila organofílica empregada, assim como a adição da organoargila alterou o comportamento térmico do poliuretano termoplástico, tornando os nanocompósitos mais suscetíveis a mudanças nos processos de fusão e cristalização em função da exposição a temperaturas elevadas. / In this study, were obtained nanocomposites containing 0, 1, 2, 5 and 10% (w/w) of organophilic clay montmorillonite Cloisite 30B, containing hydroxyl terminations, by reactive processing between a prepolymer with isocyanate terminations and 1,4-butanediol, using a closed mixer. The analysis showed that the obtained thermoplastic polyurethanes were synthesized successfully. The addition of the montmorillonite in the TPUs resulted in the formation of sheets of clay dispersed in order intercalated, partially exfoliated, exfoliated and agglomerate in the TPU matrix. With the addition of clay there were changes in the behavior of crystallization, thermal stability and degradation mechanism, as well as an increase in the values of the apparent activation energy of this process. The mobility of certain polymer segments was also changed with the addition of the clay. Therefore viscoelastic and morphological changes were observed in the nanocomposites in dependence on the amount of organophilic clay used, as well as the addition of the organophilic decreased the thermal stability of the thermoplastic polyurethane, making nanocomposites more susceptible to changes in the melting and crystallization processes due to exposure to elevated temperatures.

Neste trabalho foram obtidos nanocompósitos contendo 0, 1, 2, 5 e 10% (m/m) de argila organofílica montmorilonita cloisite 30B, contendo terminações hidroxila, por processamento reativo entre um pré-polímero com terminações isocianato e o 1,4-butanodiol, utilizando-se um misturador fechado. Os resultados mostraram que os poliuretanos termoplásticos sintetizados foram obtidos com sucesso. A adição de montmorilonita nos TPUs ocasionou a formação de folhas de argila dispersas de maneira intercalada, parcialmente esfoliada, esfoliada e aglomerados na matriz do TPU. Com a adição da argila houve modificações nos comportamentos de cristalização, estabilidade térmcica e mecanismo de degradação, assim como um aumento nos valores de energia aparente de ativação deste processo. A mobilidade de alguns segmentos poliméricos também foi alterada com a adição da argila. Portanto modificações morfológicas e viscoelásticas foram observadas para os nanocompósitos em dependência da quantidade de argila organofílica empregada, assim como a adição da organoargila alterou o comportamento térmico do poliuretano termoplástico, tornando os nanocompósitos mais suscetíveis a mudanças nos processos de fusão e cristalização em função da exposição a temperaturas elevadas. / In this study, were obtained nanocomposites containing 0, 1, 2, 5 and 10% (w/w) of organophilic clay montmorillonite Cloisite 30B, containing hydroxyl terminations, by reactive processing between a prepolymer with isocyanate terminations and 1,4-butanediol, using a closed mixer. The analysis showed that the obtained thermoplastic polyurethanes were synthesized successfully. The addition of the montmorillonite in the TPUs resulted in the formation of sheets of clay dispersed in order intercalated, partially exfoliated, exfoliated and agglomerate in the TPU matrix. With the addition of clay there were changes in the behavior of crystallization, thermal stability and degradation mechanism, as well as an increase in the values of the apparent activation energy of this process. The mobility of certain polymer segments was also changed with the addition of the clay. Therefore viscoelastic and morphological changes were observed in the nanocomposites in dependence on the amount of organophilic clay used, as well as the addition of the organophilic decreased the thermal stability of the thermoplastic polyurethane, making nanocomposites more susceptible to changes in the melting and crystallization processes due to exposure to elevated temperatures.

Orientador: Marco Aurelio De Paoli / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T06:04:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mano_BarbaraIriaSilva_M.pdf: 2057680 bytes, checksum: 859baca955b2cb03248e636dd9c52e70 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: O desenvolvimento de materiais formulados com fibras vegetais é interessante para países muito ricos em recursos naturais, como o Brasil, pois se promove o desenvolvimento tecnológico aproveitando-se matéria-prima nacional, dando-lhe finalidades mais nobres. A aplicação de fibras vegetais curtas em compósitos com matrizes poliméricas tem recebido crescente atenção, pois as fibras melhoram as propriedades mecânicas dos polímeros e tem potencial para substituir fibras inorgânicas, em especial a fibra de vidro, com uma série de vantagens que incluem a leveza, biodegradabilidade e menor abrasividade aos equipamentos de processamento. Neste trabalho, estudou-se a incorporação de fibras de curauá em polipropileno, por extrusão seguida de injeção, variando-se a rotação das roscas da extrusora dupla-rosca, o teor de fibras e de agente de acoplamento. Os compósitos processados a 300 rpm e contendo 20 wt% de fibras e 2 wt% de agente de acoplamento apresentaram as melhores propriedades mecânicas nos ensaios mecânicos de tração, flexão e impacto. As propriedades não superam as dos compósitos com fibras de vidro, mas são competitivas. A degradação e estabilização foram avaliadas pelo ensaio de envelhecimento ambiental de amostras de polipropileno e compósitos com e sem estabilizantes comerciais, para analisar o efeito de cada componente sobre a degradação do sistema. Enquanto o agente de acoplamento atuou como pró-degradante, as fibras atuaram como bloqueadores da radiação e protegeram o compósito do envelhecimento. Essa parte do trabalho foi importante para definir a correta aditivação dos compósitos. Os estabilizantes escolhidos foram satisfatórios na prevenção do envelhecimento das amostras e reduziram o efeito pró-degradante do agente de acoplamento. A partir desses resultados, é possível definir a formulação adequada para cada aplicação específica. / Abstract: The development of materials formulated with vegetal fibers is interesting for countries with high availability of natural resources, like Brazil, due to the possibility of promoting technological development using their own raw materials. The use of short vegetal fibers composites with polymeric matrices have been receiving attention due to the fact that the fibers increase the mechanical properties of the polymers and have potential to substitute inorganic fibers, in special glass fiber, with many advantages that include being lighter, biodegradable and less abrasive to the processing equipments. In this work, the incorporation of curauá fibers on polypropylene matrix by extrusion and injection molding was studied, testing different screw rotation speed in the twin-screw extruder, the fiber and the coupling agent content. The composites prepared with the rotation of 300 rpm, 20 wt% of fiber and 2 wt% of coupling agent showed the best mechanical properties evaluated in tensile, flexural and impact tests This mechanical performance does not overcome the properties of the composites reinforced with glass fibers, but are competitive with them. The degradation and stabilization were evaluated through natural ageing of samples of PP and composites with and without commercial stabilizers, in order to analyze the effect of each component on the degradation of the system. While the coupling agent worked prodegrading the systems, the fibers had a screening effect and protected them from the ageing. This part of the work was important to choose suitable additivation for the composites. The stabilizers chosen for the formulation worked satisfactorily in preventing the ageing of the samples and reduced the prodegrading effect of the coupling agent. Based on these results, it is possible to define a suitable formulation of the composites for each final application. / Mestrado / Quimica Inorganica / Mestre em Química

O presente trabalho teve como proposta a preparação de amidos termoplásticos (TPS) e compósitos a partir de amido de arroz e subprodutos do processo de beneficiamento do arroz, no qual resulta em 20% de palha e 14% de grãos quebrados. Estudou-se o amido de arroz como nova fonte para preparação de termoplásticos, avaliou-se o efeito da incorporação de palha de arroz aos TPS a fim de superar as limitações apresentadas por estes tais como baixo desempenho mecânico e alta absorção de umidade, avaliou-se a possibilidade de preparação de termoplásticos diretamente dos grãos de arroz e quirera e investigou-se a influência das condições de processamento (tempo e temperatura) na preparação dos termoplásticos. O amido de arroz foi plasticizado com glicerol em proporções que variaram de 20 a 40%. Para os compósitos, o teor de reforço (palha) variou de 1 a 5% e o teor de glicerol foi fixado em 30%. Tanto os materiais de partida quanto os termoplásticos e compósitos obtidos foram caracterizados por MEV e difração de raios-X; quanto às propriedades térmicas por TG, DSC e DMTA; quanto às propriedades mecânicas por ensaio mecânico de tração. O comportamento frente à absorção de água também foi investigado. O estudo das condições de processamento foi feito com base nos resultados obtidos a partir da reometria de torque, difração de raios-X e MEV e demonstrou que a utilização de apenas uma das técnicas é insuficiente para determinação das condições de processamento que melhor contribuem para desestruturação do grânulo, mistura e homogeneização do TPS. Os TPS preparados a partir de amido de arroz e glicerol seguiram a mesma tendência de variação de suas propriedades em função do teor de plasticizante que os TPS preparados a partir de outras fontes de amido. Levando em consideração TPS preparados a partir de amido de mandioca, milho e batata, observa-se que os TPS preparados a partir de amido de arroz apresentaram a menor absorção de água. Em relação aos compósitos, a palha contribuiu para melhorar o desempenho mecânico, no entanto favoreceu o aumento da absorção de água. Foi possível obter termoplásticos preparados diretamente dos grãos de arroz (polido e integral) e da quirera. Em comparação com o TPS amido/glicerol, os TPS obtidos a partir dos grãos apresentaram maior cristalinidade, rigidez e temperatura de transição vítrea. No entanto, apresentaram menor estabilidade térmica, menor ductilidade e maior absorção de água. / This work aimed at preparation of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and composites from rice starch and byproducts of the beneficiation process of rice, which results in 20% of husk and 14% of broken grains. The rice starch was studied as a new source for preparing thermoplastics. The effect of incorporation of rice husk to the TPS was evaluated aiming to overcome the limitations presented by pure TPS such as poor mechanical properties and high moisture absorption. The preparation of thermoplastic directly from grain and broken rice was also studied. The rice starch was plasticized with glycerol in proportions ranging from 20 to 40%. For composites, the amount of husk ranged from 1 to 5% and glycerol content was 30%. The effect of processing conditions (time and temperature) in the preparation of thermoplastics were investigated. Starting materials, thermoplastics and composites were characterized by SEM and X-ray diffraction; the thermal properties by TG, DSC and DMTA; and mechanical properties by mechanical tests. The behavior in the water uptake was also investigated. The processing conditions study was based on the results obtained from the torque rheometry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy and demonstrated that the use of only one technique is inadequate to determine the best processing conditions. The TPS prepared from rice starch and glycerol followed the same trend of variation of its properties as a function of plasticizer content when compared to TPS prepared from other starch sources. Considering TPS prepared from cassava starch, corn and potato, it was observed that the TPS prepared from rice starch presented a lower water uptake. For composites, husk has improved mechanical performance, but favors the increase in water uptake. It was possible to obtain thermoplastic prepared directly from grain rice (polished and integral) and broken grain. Compared to the starch/glycerol TPS, TPS obtained from the grains had higher crystallinity, and stiffness and glass transition temperature. However, had lower thermal stability, lower ductility and increased absorption of water.

Rapid advances continue in the acquisition 6f new fundamental knowledge of starch and a vigorous expansion in the use of starch is proceeding in both food and non-food applications. Results are here reported on starch-filled high density polyethylene which reveal reinforcement effects of starch on the thermoplastic. This significant development makes starch a most promising organic filler. This work is primarily a study of the mechanical and thermal properties of starch-filled high density polyethylene and attempts to identify changes caused in the structure of this polymer due to starch filler. Particular attention has also been given to changes in crystallinity and microscopic appearance. Because preliminary studies showed that enhanced effects were obtained when using starches of small particle size, much effort was given to developing a simple method of extraction of starches from the many varieties of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) plants in order to get the best possible yield and freedom from agglomerates. Because of the absence of recorded data it was necessary to study the physical properties of these starches. The theory and application of small-angle light scattering was reviewed because of its value as a technique for the characterization of starches and spherulitic polymer studies. One hundred and twelve Taro starches were characterized in terms of average particle sizes by the above technique. Starches with particle sizes ranging from 3 micron to 50 micron were investigated in order to establish the size/effect relationship in starch polymer composites. Methods of increasing the adhesion between filler and polymer matrix have also been studied, as has also the stripping of amylopectin from starch grains by cold acid treatment. Acid treatment, surprisingly, produced composites of increased mechanical strength in high density polyethylene, implying that a true reinforcing filler has been created. Results from differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffraction studies revealed that an increase in degree of crystallinity in high density polyethylene was associated with the presence of starch.

Starch is a natural polymer occurring in the seeds, tubers and stems of many plants, including maize. It is a mixture of two polymers: linear amylose and highly branched amylopectin. The ratio and the molar masses of the two polymers depend on the starch source, giving rise to different starch properties. Thermoplastic starch (TPS) was obtained by gelatinising a dry-blend mixture of maize starch, water, plasticisers and additives in a single-screw laboratory extruder. The TPS formed is a translucent amorphous material that could be shaped into pellets and injection-moulded into a variety of articles, just like conventional plastics [Shogren et al., 1994]. The advantages of TPS are that it is cheap and fully biodegradable. However, because of its hydrophilic nature, its properties and dimensional stability are influenced by moisture (humidity). It is also not easily processed like conventional plastics and the freshly moulded material ages, i.e. its properties change over time. The latter is caused by retrogradational structural changes which include helix formation and the crystallisation that occurs above the glass transition temperature [Myllärinen et al., 2002]. The unacceptable physical and processing properties of TPS were improved by blending with other polymers. The objective of this work was to determine the effects of water and glycerol content and the starch source or type on the mechanical properties of maize-based TPS. In addition, the effect of gypsum filler and polyamides or polyvinyl butyral (PVB) as modifying agent was also investigated. The PVB was based on material recycled from automotive windscreens. As with the thermoplastic starch, the thermoplastic/polymer blends, e.g. polyvinyl butyral, were also prepared using a single-screw extruder. After pelletisation, the materials were conditioned at 30 °C and a relative humidity of 60%. Tensile test specimens were prepared by injection moulding. Samples were characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile testing. The effect of environmental conditions (temperature and humidity or water submersion) on the ageing of the samples was investigated using tensile properties as a measure. Initial extrusion and moulding trials revealed that the TPS compounds were very difficult to process. Difficulties were encountered with feeding the dry blends into the compounding extruder. The moulded samples adhered strongly to the mould walls, especially the sprue part. These problems were overcome by adding 2,5% precipitated silica to improve the flowability of the dry blends and stearyl alcohol at ca. 1,5% as a processing aid. The latter performed as an external lubricant and mould-release agent. Nevertheless, for some compositions it was also necessary to use ‘Spray-and-Cook’ as mould-release agent during injection moulding. The results show that HiMaizeTM, a high-amylose maize starch, provided the best properties in TPS and its blends. Further improvements in properties were obtained by blending with low-molecular-weight hot-melt adhesive-grade polyamides (Euremelt 2138 and 2140), engineering polyamide (EMS Grilon CF 62 BSE) or low amounts of PVB. The properties of all the compounds investigated were affected by moisture content and also by ageing. The TPS-PVB blends showed highly non-linear composition-dependence. SEM and DMA revealed a phase separation for all the TPS-PVB blend compositions investigated. The tensile properties were negatively affected by ageing in a high-humidity environment and they deteriorated rapidly when the samples were soaked in water. Synergistic property enhancement was observed for a compound containing 22% thermoplastic starch. It featured a higher tensile strength, showed better water resistance and was significantly less affected by ageing. At higher PVB levels, the property dropped to values that were lower than expected from the linear blending rule. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted

As patologias que acometem os membros superiores são bastante incapacitantes para os seres humanos, pois elas são sua principal ferramenta de interação com o mundo tanto pelo papel nas tarefas cotidianas quanto pelo simbolismo que carregam. Na Terapia Ocupacional o objetivo é promover uma melhor qualidade de vida, maior autonomia e participação no cotidiano e, dentre os recursos e abordagens possíveis no processo de reabilitação, as órteses têm grande destaque, pois seu uso correto pode \"aumentar a função, prevenir ou corrigir deformidade, proteger estruturas em processo de cicatrização, restringir o movimento e permitir o crescimento ou remodelação tecidual\" (FESS, 2002, p.98). As órteses mais utilizadas na prática clínica são confeccionadas em material termomoldável de baixa temperatura. Não há opções nacionais deste material, implicando na necessidade de importação que pode gerar dificuldades no acesso a este tipo de material. Leite (2007) desenvolveu um poliuretano derivado do óleo vegetal (mamona) que se mostrou apto para a confecção de órteses após ensaios mecânicos, térmicos e clínicos, mas que necessita de melhorias, principalmente em relação aos aspectos de maleabilidade (moldabilidade) e memória do material. O presente trabalho tem como objetivos caracterizar o material desenvolvido e alguns existentes no mercado e modificar o material desenvolvido por Leite (2007). Para tanto, foram introduzidas modificações - acréscimo de cargas e mudanças na proporção poliol e pré-polímero - e realizados ensaios mecânicos e térmicos de Memória, Dureza, Moldabilidade, Análise Dinâmico-Mecânica, Tração, Temperatura no Contato com a Pele Humana e a velocidade de Resfriamento do material. Os resultados indicam que o acréscimo de Sílica Pirogênica e o aumento da proporção de poliol em relação ao pré-polímero melhoraram a moldabilidade do material e tornaram a memória adequada aos propósitos. Conclui-se que o novo material, o compósito CPU POS, é mais rígido que os importados, suportando maior carga, é seguro para o paciente do ponto de vista de temperatura e possui uma grande validade. A moldabilidade é rápida e necessita que o terapeuta posicione o material, pois ele não se acomoda com a ação da gravidade. A dureza foi diminuída, embora ainda seja maior que a dos materiais de comparação. Assim, o presente estudo contribuiu para um maior conhecimento dos termomoldáveis existentes no mercado utilizados para confecção de órteses e aponta o poliuretano derivado de óleo vegetal, modificado com cargas, como um material adequado para este propósito. / Pathologies that affect the upper limbs are very incapacitating to humans, because they are your primary tool for interaction with the world, both thé role of everyday tasks as the symbolism they carry. In Occupational Therapy the objective is promote a better quality of life, more autonomy and participation in daily life and, among the resources and possible approaches in the rehabilitation process, the orthosis have great prominence, because their correct use can \"enhance function, prevent or correct deformities, protect structures in the healing process, restrict movement and support the growth or tissue remodeling\" (FESS, 2002, p.98). The most used orthosis in clinical practice are fabricated with low temperature thermoplastic. There are no national options of this material, resulting in import which can create difficulties in accessing this type of material. Leite (2007) developed a vegetable (castor) oil based polyurethane that proved suitable for orthosis, after mechanical, thermal and clinical testing, but needs improvements especially aspects of malleability (moldability) and memory of the material. The current work aims at characterizing the material developed and some of the existing materials and modify the material developed by Leite (2007). Therefore, changes have been introduced - increase of fillers and changes in the proportion polyol to prepolymer - and performed mechanical and thermal tests of Memory, Hardness, Moldability, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, Traction, Temperature in contact with human skin and the speed Cooling the material. The results indicate that the addition of Pyrogenic Silica and increased proportion of polyol in relation to the prepolymer improved moldability ofthe material and made appropriate memory to the purpose. We conclude that the new material, composite CPU POS, is more rigid than the imported, supporting higher load, it is safe for the patient in terms of temperature and has a great validity. The moldability is fast and requires the therapist to position the material, because it does not settle by gravity. The hardness was decreased, although it is still higher than the comparison material. Thus, the present study contributed to a better understanding of existing market thermoformables used for orthosis and points the polyurethane derived from vegetable oil, modified with fillers, as a suitable material for this purpose.