Date palm reinforced epoxy composites: tensile, impact and morphological properties

Abstract

In this study date palm stem fibers (DPF)/epoxy composites at different loading (40, 50 and 60 wt.%) were fabricated and their tensile, impact and morphological properties are characterized. The interfacial bonding in tensile fractured samples of composites was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Tensile and impact results revealed that increase in DPF loading until 50% improved the mechanical strength, modulus, impact strength and elongation at break with respect to pure epoxy resin. Tensile strength, modulus, impact strength and elongation at break of pure epoxy resin increases from 20.5 to 25.7657 MPa, 0.5123 to 1.546 GPa, 45.81 to 98.71 J/m and 0.91 to 1.412% respectively while, energy absorption decreases drastically from 50 to 32% with the incorporation of DPF filler. SEM microstructure displayed good interfacial bonding in 50% DPF epoxy however the addition of more DPF loading reduces the interfacial strength due to poor wettability. Overall test results declared that 50% DPF loading is ideal to enhance tensile, impact strengths and morphological properties of epoxy.