Contribution to manufactured a new thermoplastic biocomposite reinforced with natural fabric of date palm fibers without any treatment

Although significant progress has been made in the production of biocomposites, persistent challenges remain in the processing, distribution and arrangement of natural fibres. These problems stem mainly from the lack of standardised methods for fibre processing, insufficient access to specialised equipment and time-consuming preparation processes. This work breaks new ground by developing a PLA biocomposite reinforced with a fabric of untreated date palm fibres, eliminating costly pre-treatment steps. The digitally controlled hot compression method ensures optimal interfacial adhesion, validated by SEM analysis. The main results of this work reveal a significant improvement in mechanical properties, they show a 24% improvement in Young’s modulus (4.20 GPa) and a 31% increase in tensile strength (80 MPa) with 10% fibers, combined with a 15% reduction in density. Fiber/matrix adhesion, validated by SEM, explains these performances, combined with a reduction in costs and environmental impact. The reproducibility of the processes and the biodegradability of the material make it a sustainable solution for light structural applications. The minor defects identified open up avenues for industrial optimisation.

---

Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa nr POPUL/SP/0154/2024/02 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki II" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki (2025).