variavel0=<b>GEORGE SANTOS MARINHO</b> - gmarinho@ct.ufrn.br UFRN
<b>José Ubiragi de Lima Mendes</b> - jubiragi@dem.ufrn.br UFRN
<b>Abstract.</b> An experimental study was carried on to analysis some thermal properties of a composite made by joint vegetable fiber with vegetable resine. Due to the shape of the fiber, the composite presents special characteristics, as mechanical resistence, low density and flexibility, that made it proper to be built in different geometries, like: parabolic, rectangular, cylindric and spherical wovens. The fiber structure trapped the air into its core, enhancing the thermal resistence. The experiments showed that the composite is appropriate to using as thermal insulator applied to the temperature range from 0ºC to 130ºC. Due to the material composition, based in vegetable fiber and vegetable resine, the product is intrinsecaly biodegradable. The results pointed that the composite can be applied to insulation of steam generators, HVAC systems, ovens, and furnances.
<b>Keywords.</b> Thermal insulator, composite, vegetable fiber, vegetabe resine, thermal conductivity.