Experiments on Mechanical Properties of Bio-Composite Produced from the Shell of Argan Nuts

Abstract

The argan tree (Argania Spinosa) grows mainly in Morocco. This forest species, also called iron tree, covers about 830000 ha of Moroccan territory. Virtues of this argan oil are multiple: uses for cooking, medicines, or cosmetics. The objective of this work is the valorization of the argan tree, and especially in its shell, which remains poorly exploited and which is sold by the premises at low prices for use as a fuel in the Moorish baths and bakeries. Argan shell is the reinforcement of this bio-composite. For this, the shell is ground, sieved and separated into five different diameters d. Then, the preparations of the three ranges, each of which is composed of proportions (20%, 60%, 20%) of increasing diameter of particles. Each particle range is used as reinforcement in a matrix of urea formaldehyde and water as a non-polluting solvent. Using a traction machine, the Young module and the breaking stress of the three biomaterial ranges were determined. Our results show that the Young module of first range (R1) remains superior to that of other two ranges and also has a high breaking voltage. Then the bending measurements were made by the three-point machine MTS EM Flexion. Our results show that the R1 has a greater bending stress than the other two ranges.