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The vast market of ornamental plants and flowers generates a large amount of wastes, from where fibers can be extracted. The mechanical properties of these fibers have not yet been reported. Therefore, the possibility of using them as fiber-reinforcement in polymer matrix composites is an open question. In this work the tensile mechanical properties of fibers obtained from the stem of three types of ornamental plants – Etlingera elatior, Costus comosus and Heliconia bihai – are evaluated and compared to the tensile properties of other lignocellulosic fibers. Besides, the tensile strength of the fibers is discussed in terms of the Weibull statistical distribution. E. elatior showed high values for both Young's modulus and tensile strength, comparable to the properties of fibers with already large use, such as jute. Therefore, fibers extracted from the stem of this ornamental plant are potential candidates to be used as reinforcement in polymer matrix composites. C. comosus and H. bihai on the other hand are low modulus fibers, and their use in composites will be restricted as fillers, reducing cost but not enhancing mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residues obtained from the sustainable harvest of heart of palm from pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes) palms can be managed to produce long and chopped fibers. These fibrous residues can be used to manufacture agglomerated panels and also serve as reinforcement in polymer–matrix composites. In this work, the characteristics of pejibaye fibrous residues are commented and the flexural mechanical properties of agglomerated panels made with these residues are determined and compared with the properties of conventional wood-based agglomerated panels. Also, panels using both pejibaye residues and residues from coconut plantations were manufactured and their flexural mechanical behavior was determined and compared to panels manufactured using only pejibaye residue. The results obtained show that the flexural mechanical properties of pejibaye agglomerated panels fall within the boundaries established by international standards for interior use (general applications–dry conditions). The hybrid coir/pejibaye panel showed the best set of properties, presenting a performance better than the agglomerated panels manufactured with only one kind of fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]