Evaluation of Mechanical, Physical, and Morphological Properties of Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Different Date Palm Fillers.

Basheer A Alshammari,Naheed Saba,Othman Y Alothman,Mohammed F Alotibi,Mohammad Jawaid,Majed D Alotaibi

doi:10.3390/ma12132145

Basheer A Alshammari, Naheed Saba + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12132145

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Abstract

The present study deals with the fabrication of epoxy composites reinforced with 50 wt% of date palm leaf sheath (G), palm tree trunk (L), fruit bunch stalk (AA), and leaf stalk (A) as filler by the hand lay-up technique. The developed composites were characterized and compared in terms of mechanical, physical and morphological properties. Mechanical tests revealed that the addition of AA improves tensile (20.60–40.12 MPa), impact strength (45.71–99.45 J/m), flexural strength (32.11–110.16 MPa) and density (1.13–1.90 g/cm3). The water absorption and thickness swelling values observed in this study were higher for AA/epoxy composite, revealing its higher cellulosic content, compared to the other composite materials. The examination of fiber pull-out, matrix cracks, and fiber dislocations in the microstructure and fractured surface morphology of the developed materials confirmed the trends for mechanical properties. Overall, from results analysis it can be concluded that reinforcing epoxy matrix with AA filler effectively improves the properties of the developed composite materials. Thus, date palm fruit bunch stalk filler might be considered as a sustainable and green promising reinforcing material similarly to other natural fibers and can be used for diverse commercial, structural, and nonstructural applications requiring high mechanical resistance.

Highlights

A composite is a material formed of two or more physical components, offering much better properties than those of the single components, i.e., the matrix and the filler
The flexural properties of the composites containing AA filler are attributed to the high toughness and stiffness of this type of date palm fiber (DPF), compared to containing AA filler are attributed to the high toughness and stiffness of this type of DPF, compared the corresponding properties of pure epoxy composites
Fibers extracted from different parts of the date palm tree were used as reinforcement as filler in epoxy matrix in order to investigate their mechanical strength, density, water absorption and morphological properties

Summary

Introduction

A composite is a material formed of two or more physical components, offering much better properties than those of the single components, i.e., the matrix and the filler. Composites are usually manufactured from various types of matrices, such as polymers, metals, and ceramics. Polymers have advantageous properties, such as chemical resistance, low density, good wettability, and easy molding into desired and engineered shapes. Polymers are used as matrices to a greater extent, compared to metals and ceramics. Polymers have lower strengths and moduli [1,2]. To overcome this problem, the introduction of additives and natural fillers (of plant, animal, and mineral origin) is the most familiar technique to improve the mechanical properties. Plant fibers are mainly sourced from the leaves, stems, and seeds of a variety of plants, such as date palm

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