Investigation on an environmentally friendly biobased untreated date palm fiber composite for thermal insulation

In this study, physical, mechanical and thermal properties of date palm fibers (DPFs) reinforced Epoxy resin were studied. The boards were prepared with different fiber loading: 0%, 40%, 60% and 80% (by volume) by using a melt compounding method. The effect of fiber loading on physical, mechanical and thermal properties was investigated, Epoxy-DPF composites showed an increase in water uptake percentage by increasing the fiber loading because of the hydrophilic nature of DPFs, while flexural properties was decreasing with increase in fiber content. Thermal conductivity of Epoxy- DPF composites was also measured according to ASTM C177; the results showed that the prepared boards with had the thermal conductivity values ranging from 102.39-64.66 mW/m×K at 25°C by increasing the fiber loading. Morphology observations after the composites fracture showed a good fiber-matrix adhesion.