title: Characteristics of starch-based biodegradable composites reinforced with date palm and flax fibers.
abstract: The aim of this work is to study the behavior of completely biodegradable starch-based composites containing date palm fibers in the range from 20 to 80 wt%. Hybrid composites containing date palm and flax fibers, 25 wt% each, were also examined. The composites were preheated and then hot pressed at 5 MPa and 160°C for 30 min. SEM investigation showed strong adhesion between fibers and matrix. Density measurements showed very small void fraction (less than 0.142%) for composites containing up to 50 wt% fiber content. Increasing fiber weight fraction up to 50 wt% increased the composite static tensile and flexural mechanical properties (stiffness and strength). Composite thermal stability, water uptake and biodegradation improved with increasing fiber content. The present work shows that starch-based composites with 50 wt% fibers content have the optimum mechanical properties. The hybrid composite of flax and date palm fibers, 25 wt% each, has good properties and provides a competitive eco-friendly candidate for various applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Design and Production, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt. Electronic address: Hamdy.m.elsayed@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hamdy
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farag
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Megahed
authors.forename: Sherif
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mehanny
mesh_terms: D028023:Arecaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D019597:Flax / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D014867:Water; D013213:Starch
keywords: Biodegradable composites; Date palm fibers; Flax fibers; Hybrid composites; Starch matrix