Mechanical Properties of Nano Date Palm versus Nano Titanium Dioxide Particles Reinforced Composites: Experimental Characterization

Abstract

This research work is about characterization of the mechanical properties of two newly developed nanocomposite materials. The produced nanocomposites are made by mixing either Nano date palm particles (NDPP) or Nano Titanium Dioxide particles (NTiO2P), as a reinforcement filler, with recycled polypropylene (rPP). Particularly, downsizing the date palm microfibers generated from waste to Nano-sized lignocellulose fillers has been accomplished by using a ball milling machine. The powdering process is conducted at a high speed of 12 cycles (2 cycles per hour). The manufacturing process involves making composite sheets using a twin-screw extruder in a hot melt state followed by compression molding. After that, test specimens are prepared following ASTM standards and then tested in a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) setup. Results revealed that the highest tensile strength of the reinforced polymer can be accomplished at 3% wt. NDPP and 6% wt. NTiO2P. These filler loadings increased the tensile strength by 48% and 63% over the neat rPP, respectively. Moreover, the flexural strength of NDPP-based nanocomposite increased by 30% at 3% wt. while the strength of NTiO2P-based composite was improved by 33% at 6% wt. over the neat polymer. Due to the soft nanofillers, both nanoparticles exhibited a slight decrease in Young’s modulus; 10.7% and 7.8% at 3% wt. NDPP and 6% wt. NTiO2P, respectively. Similarly, the increase in elongation at break and flexural modulus for both nanocomposites contribute to improving the ductility of the neat polymer. The results from the morphological analysis using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) revealed that NTiO2P with 6% wt. has better interlocking with the polymeric matrix and better filler distribution over 3% wt. NDPP. Results showed that the viscosity of NDPP-based nanocomposites exceeded that of NTiO2P-based nanocomposites while the density of NDPP was less. This study indicates that nanocomposites produced from NDPP are economically feasible as natural fiber and ecologically friendly materials with a great potential for use in a variety of industrial applications.