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The use of natural fibers has seen a significant rise in the composites sector, resulting in the creation of polymer composites with exceptional strength. These environmentally-friendly alternatives offer a compelling substitute for synthetic composites. This study explores the use of date palm waste as reinforcement for the fabrication of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composites. A surface modification method was essential for improving the binding interaction between palm fibers and PVC composites. The two-hour benzoyl chloride treatment at 140 °C played a crucial role. The study examined the effects of hydrothermal aging on mechanical properties of composites, using various techniques such as surface morphology analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, and Thermogravimetric Analysis, on composites made of untreated fibers and those treated with benzoyl chloride. Although the treatment of palm fiber-reinforced composites with benzoyl chloride improved their mechanical properties, it is crucial to note that hydrothermal aging reduced their tensile strength by 10%. Despite this, these composites prove to be well-suited for applications requiring moderate strength and stiffness in mild environmental conditions. These composites, while utilizing benzoyl chloride for surface treatment, still represent a more sustainable alternative to traditional synthetic composites by incorporating renewable date palm waste and enhancing mechanical properties, which potentially reduces overall environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fibres have remained increasingly applied as reinforcement filler in polymer matrix for fabrication of composites for a long time. Environmentally friendly and sustainable fibres offer the possibility of a feasible substitute and alternative materials to synthetic fibres for a diverse range of products from composite materials. In this research, a new bio-composite has been produced by using date palm fibre (DP) and eggshell (ES) wastes into bio matrix. The current work focuses on how ES particles affect the physical, mechanical, and morphological aspects of DP/bio-epoxy composites. Bio-composites was manufactured by using a fibre loading of 40 wt% DP and filler concentrations of 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt% ES by closed mold hot press. A DP/bio-epoxy composite without ES filler was also prepared as control. Characterization of bio-composites was carried out as per ASTM standard. The obtained results indicate that ES can be used as a filler in bio-epoxy with this novel material composition. Mechanical properties results show that 15 wt% by weight of the ES particles filler loading displays good tensile and flexural properties with better impact strength at 5 wt%. The incorporation of ES above 15 wt% in DP/bio-epoxy composite is not remarkable, so 15 wt% filler matrix replacement is recommended. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals fracture in matrix, implying that the bio-epoxy polymer structures are altered by the fillers. We concluded from findings that ES particles can utilize as potential source of green raw material for strengthening in polymer composites and ultimately help to establish its potential in structural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work to explore the absorption behavior of bio composites reinforced with date palm fibers. RSM and ANOVA were utilized to evaluate the impact and interdependence of input variables (Time: from 24 h to 672 h, Fiber content: 15 %, 20 %, and 25 %, and types of water: seawater, distilled water, and rainwater) on the output variables (Mass of CDPF) during a water absorption process that lasted more than 670 h at 23 °C. The findings revealed that the bio composites with the above-mentioned filler content absorbed more water as the amount of fibers increased, with absorption rates of 14.03 %, 19.39 %, 30.94 % for seawater, 15.42 %, 20.64 %, and 36.08 % for distilled water, and 16.37 %, 21.98 %, and 42.10 % for rainwater, respectively. Additionally, the study measured the diffusion coefficient of bio composites, which had a minimum value of about 2.11 × 10−6mm2/s and a maximum value of about 3.99 × 10−6mm2/s. The results of RSM model analysis showed that this model is accurate and reliable. Where the values of R2 and adjusted R2 coefficients for the Mass of CDPF were 99.63 % and 99.61 %, respectively, indicating an ideal match between experimental and predicted values. These findings provide valuable information for engineers interested in incorporating date palm fiber bio composites during development and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the fabricated polylactic acid (PLA) and hybrid natural fiber (NF) biocomposites via a melt extrusion method were investigated. NFs from locally grown plants were utilized as fillers. Polyethene glycol (PEG) was used as the plasticizer to improve the processability of the PLA. The effect of PLA/NF biocomposite processing was assessed by mechanical characterization (tensile, modulus, strain at break, and impact tests), and thermal properties (thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry [DSC] analysis). The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermo‐mechanical analysis (TMA) of the samples were also analyzed. The mechanical properties of PLA/NF biocomposites improved as compared with that of PLA. The DMA findings show that the storage modulus and loss modulus exhibited a slight reduction for PLA/NF biocomposites compared with the PLA sample. In opposite, the glass transition temperature (Tg) from DSC thermogram results showed no obvious changes in values compared with the PLA sample. Furthermore, the findings of TMA showed a significant decrease in coefficient of thermal expansion values of PLA/NF biocomposites compared with those of PLA samples. The overall findings from this work indicated that PLA/NF biocomposites have the potential to make novel biocomposites and suitable for further application especially in biomedical applications due to its good stiffness, tensile strength, and dimensional stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this study, the alkali‐treated and untreated hybrid fibers incorporated with bio phenolic matrix to enhance the chemical interactions, mechanical and thermal properties have been investigated. The oil palm fiber (OPF) and pineapple fiber (PALF) were utilized as reinforcements into bio phenolic resin. The improvements in chemical interactions were monitored by the Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The modifications of the surface for hybrid natural fibers (OPF/PALF) were enhanced in comparison to pure fiber composites. The composites' dynamic mechanical behavior such as storage modulus, loss modulus, and damping properties were also investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis analyzed the performance of untreated (OPF and PALF) and treated (OPF/OPF) composites at elevated temperature and observed adequate interfacial bonding as a result of the improvements in thermal stability. The results presented that alkali) NaOH(incorporation in hybrid composites (OPF/PALF) results in increased the tensile strength and modulus among all composites. Furthermore, the tensile strength and modulus improved to the maximum value for treated 50% PALF composite compared to other composites. The hybridisation of treated alkali (5% NaOH/50% PALF) fiber shows best performance on tensile strength and modulus with 33.3 and 7535.2 MPa, respectively compared to other composites. The alkali‐treated hybrid composites (NaOH/1OPF.1PALF) exhibited the greatest flexural strength (99.8 MPa) and modulus (8813.1 MPa). The enhancement of the interfacial adhesion between pure and hybrid fiber composites and bio phenolic matrix through the mercerisation of OPF and PALF fibers reinforced composite played an essential role in improving the mechanical properties of composites via alkali treatment with NaOH solution. Natural fiber reinforced composites are commercially attractive for high‐volume applications; while their properties can be improved by adding alkali solution as stabilizers. It can be recommended from the findings of this study that the alkali treatment (5% NaOH) can be used to enhance the efficiency of agriculture waste biomass. Additionally, the hybridization of bio‐fiber composites has potential to develop novel type of biodegradable and sustainable composites suitable for various industrial and engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]