Mechanical, Morphological, Thermal and Dynamic Study of Composites of Unsaturated Polyesters-Date Palm Leaf Fiber DPLF

In order to improve the properties of unsaturated polyesters, this study discusses the possibilities of developing a natural waste, date palm leaf fiber DPLF, produced in the northern Algerian Sahara, associated with the polymer matrix of a thermosetting polyester resin UP. For this purpose, composite plates containing virgin fiber at rates of 6 and 10% were treated with an alkaline solution of 6% NaOH on the one hand, and a silane compound on the other. In this research, a mechanical study of strength and elongation at break was carried out. In addition, morphological behavior was followed by SEM scanning electron microscopy. ATG thermogravimetric analysis and energy flow were monitored by DSC differential scanning calorimetry. Also, a study of the water absorption capacity has been conducted. In addition, a dynamic mechanical analysis DMA was carried out. The findings of this study show that there is a favorable mechanical behavior for the composites containing the 6% and 10% DPLF fiber, with alkaline NaOH and Silane treatment. They also show that the chemical treatment with alkaline solution and silane gives composites certain thermal stability compared to those with untreated fiber. Findings also explore that the absorption of water by the various composites shows that the chemical treatment promotes some intermolecular associations with water. Findings also show that the storage modulus (E') increases when the composite contains 10% DPLF, treated and untreated, and the maximum value of the tangent moves towards the high temperature for the treated and untreated fiber composite.