Polylactic Acid (PLA) Reinforced with Date Palm Sheath Fiber Bio-Composites: Evaluation of Fiber Density, Geometry, and Content on the Physical and Mechanical Properties

Significant interest for utilizing and processing natural fibers (NF) to develop sustainable fully biodegradable composites evolved as the global environmental concerns upsurge. Date palm tree (DPT) accounts more than 2.8 million tons of waste annually, making it most abundant agricultural biomass in MENA region. This study investigates effect date fiber (DPF) density, diameter size content on both mechanical physical properties polylactic acid (PLA) reinforced DPF bio-composite. The bio-composites are developed using melt-mixing technique which is followed by compression molding. influence investigated evaluating tensile, flexural impact strengths. Meanwhile bio-composite thickness swelling (TS), moisture (MC) water absorption (WA) characteristics evaluated. Bio-composite microstructures examined SEM investigate interfacial bonding between PLA matrix DPF. Results showed that at 40 wt.% DPF, TS, MC, WA were highest demonstrating an increase 4.10%, 4.95%, 8.22%, respectively. Although results demonstrated a decrease increased (depending geometry), indicate technologies could be commercialized under management scheme non-structural applications.