Development of Hybrid Composite Utilizing Micro-Cellulose Fibers Extracted from Date Palm Rachis in the Najran Region

Abstract

Environmental effects can be reduced by using renewable resources in various applications. The date palm fibers (DPF) used in this study were extracted from waste date ranches of the Najran region by retting and manual peeling processes. The biocomposites were developed by reinforcing the silane-treated DPF (SDPF) at different wt.% in eugenol phthalonitrile (EPN) and difunctional benzoxazine (BA-a) copolymer. The impact strength, tensile, flexural, and dynamic mechanical properties and thermogravimetric analysis were evaluated to understand the mechanical, thermomechanical, and thermal properties. Results confirmed that 30 wt.% SDPF-reinforced poly (EPN/BA-a) composites produced the highest mechanical and thermomechanical properties, and were considered optimized SDPF reinforcement. Furthermore, hybrid composites with 30 wt.% SDPF and 15 wt.% silane-treated glass fibers (SGF) reinforcement having different lamination sequences were also studied. The lamination sequences showed a significant impact on the mechanical and thermomechanical properties, as properties were further enhanced by adding a core layer of SGF in hybrid composites. However, the thermal properties of SDPF/SGF laminates were higher than SDPF biocomposites, but the SGF lamination sequence did not produce any impact. According to the limiting oxygen and heat resistance indexes, the developed SDPF/SGF laminates are self-extinguishing materials and can be used in temperature-tolerant applications up to 230 °C.

Static and dynamic mechanical characterization and thermal analysis for multi‐ply structure of woven nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) reinforced poly(lactic acid) biocomposites

“…The diffusion motion of the polymeric segments causes relaxation of mechanical restraint. This is termed as Brownian movements 43 …”

“…This is termed as Brownian movements. 43 The loss modulus (E 00 ) indicates an ability to dissipate energy in the form of heat during the loading cycle. It also specifies the viscous response of composites and practically measures damaging forces caused by mechanical energy.…”