Study the effects of fiber loading and orientation on the tensile properties of date palm fiber-reinforced polyester composite

Composite material is a combination of two or more materials to get significant physical, mechanical, and chemical properties that cannot be achieved from constituent materials alone. Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite is mostly utilized composite due to its highest strength-to-weight ratio. In this study date palm natural fiber (DPF) and polyester resin was used as reinforcement and matrix to make a date palm fiber-reinforced polyester composite (DPFRPC). The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of fiber loading and orientation on the tensile properties of DPFRPC and to pinpoint the best combinations of fiber loading and orientations for making strong DPFRPC. The hand layup method was used to create DPFRPC samples. The tensile properties of DPFRPC were determined experimentally with various fiber loading (20, 30, and 40%) and orientations (0/0, 45/-45, and 0/90 degrees) using a full factorial experimental design. Three tests were run for each experimental number, and the average result was used for discussion. The highest modulus of elasticity and strain at UTS was achieved with 40% fiber loading and 0/0-degree fiber orientation, measuring 5.45 GPa and 4.48%, respectively. The strongest DPFRPC, 145 MPa, was identified with 30% fiber loading and 0/0-degree fiber orientation, which was 58.6% lower than DPF and 66.8% higher than polyester matrix. Finally, the results showed that tensile strength of DPFRPC increase with fiber loading up to optimum fiber loading (30%) and falls above that level. However, when the fiber orientation angle increases, the tensile strength of DPFRPC decreases.