Fabrication of Epoxy-date Fiber Composite with the Aim of Improving Mechanical Properties

One of the leading challenges in the fabrication of natural fiber composites is the adhesion of the fibers to the matrix. Since improving the adhesion between the fibers and the matrix changes the mechanical properties of natural composites, fiber surface modification has been considered. In this study, the effect of adhesion and surface treatment of date fibers on improving mechanical properties (tension, bending, impact) was investigated. Surface treatment was performed on date palm fibers using two chemicals, sodium chloride, and sodium hydroxide. These fibers were modified in four groups with sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride, sodium chloride, then sodium hydroxide, and finally sodium hydroxide, then sodium chloride. By making different samples and performing standard mechanical tests (tensile, impact bending) and electron microscope (SEM) tests, thermal analysis (TGA), fiber tension, fiber extrusion from the matrix (Pull out) the effects of different groups on improving the adhesion and mechanical properties of composites was examined and verified. The results showed that the surface treatment fiber with sodium chloride showed more resistance against stretching, extrusion of the fiber from the matrix, and degradation due to temperature increase compared to the fiber without surface treatment and with surface treatment. Also, mechanical tests on composites showed an increase and improvement in tensile strength of samples reinforced with sodium hydroxide-modified fibers, and the highest flexural strength with sodium-chloride-modified fibers and a decrease in impact strength with surface treatment fibers in all four groups. ‌‌