Potential utilization of date palm wood as composite reinforcement

Abstract

This research reports the results of an experimental study on the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties as well as the thermal behavior of eight varieties of date palm residues coming from the same environment. The aim is to evaluate each variety of this natural material to be used thereafter, individually or as a mixture, in the manufacturing of composite materials. The results show that Rachis variety exhibits relatively high values of tensile strength and Young’s modulus; they attained 213 MPa and 8.5 GPa, respectively. In contrast, Petiole variety exhibits relatively high values of specific mechanical properties. This is due to its low value of bulk density, which is 0.160 g/cm3. Besides that, Petiole variety is also characterized by relatively high porosity and high rate of water absorption; they reached 81.52 and 140%, respectively. Results of thermal analysis show that Leaflets variety provides the highest resistance to thermal degradation; its main degradation occurred at 360 C.