A potential natural energy absorption material – Coconut mesocarp: Part A: Experimental investigations on mechanical properties

Abstract

The energy-absorption abilities and mechanical properties of mesocarp material were firstly studied. Specimens with varying densities ranging from 90 to 220kg/m3 were quasi-static compressed in the radial, tangential and grain (coir fiber) direction with a loading speed of 2mm per minute. The digital microscopy photos were taken to illustrate composition of coconut mesocarp. The great discovery is that coconut mesocarp shows different mechanical characteristics in three different directions, and that the coconut mesocarp material performs an obvious energy-absorption characteristic of porous materials in the grain direction. In the tangential and radial direction, it performs a similar metal characteristic. The Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of mesocarp was predicted and computed based on experimental datum. The Young's modulus in the grain direction is highest among three directions. The specific energy absorption of mesocarp was also computed and the result shows that mesocarp material is a potential natural energy absorption material, especially in the grain direction.