Performance of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Date Palm Midrib Composites

This paper evaluates the performance of composites made from date palm (<i>Phoenix dactylifera</i> L.) midribs reinforced with carbon fiber. Two types of adhesives—unsaturated polyester and epoxy resin—were used as binder for the experimental panels. The physical properties and mechanica...

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Main Authors: Mohammad Hassan Mazaherifar, Octavia Zeleniuc, Camelia Cerbu, Sergiu-Valeriu Georgescu, Antonela Lungu, Camelia Coșereanu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Fibers
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6439/13/5/57
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author Mohammad Hassan Mazaherifar
Octavia Zeleniuc
Camelia Cerbu
Sergiu-Valeriu Georgescu
Antonela Lungu
Camelia Coșereanu
author_facet Mohammad Hassan Mazaherifar
Octavia Zeleniuc
Camelia Cerbu
Sergiu-Valeriu Georgescu
Antonela Lungu
Camelia Coșereanu
author_sort Mohammad Hassan Mazaherifar
collection DOAJ
description This paper evaluates the performance of composites made from date palm (<i>Phoenix dactylifera</i> L.) midribs reinforced with carbon fiber. Two types of adhesives—unsaturated polyester and epoxy resin—were used as binder for the experimental panels. The physical properties and mechanical strength of the composites, as a function of fiber types, lamination configuration, as well as adhesive types, were determined. The density levels of the panels made using epoxy and unsaturated polyester resin were found to be 1103 kg/m<sup>3</sup> and 1133 kg/m<sup>3</sup>, respectively. Panels made using polyester adhesive had 6.05% and 3.98% for water absorption and thickness swelling values, respectively. Corresponding values of 3.09% and 6.35% were found for the panels made using epoxy resin. Mechanical properties of the samples revealed that carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy hybrids offer superior mechanical performance, whereas polyester-based hybrids may be more suitable for impact-resistant applications. Stereo-microscopy and vertical density profile (VDP) analysis of the panels resulted in variations in layer adhesion and density distribution. Based on the findings in this work, carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy-bonded hybrid panels exhibited superior mechanical properties, while those panels made using polyester-based binder would be more suitable where impact resistance is desired. The combination of date palm fibers and carbon fiber presents significant potential for sustainable applications, offering a balance of strength and durability.
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spelling doaj-art-0a5c05cf9e33491685d2eaa26132b6de2025-08-20T01:56:24ZengMDPI AGFibers2079-64392025-05-011355710.3390/fib13050057Performance of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Date Palm Midrib CompositesMohammad Hassan Mazaherifar0Octavia Zeleniuc1Camelia Cerbu2Sergiu-Valeriu Georgescu3Antonela Lungu4Camelia Coșereanu5Faculty of Furniture Design and Wood Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, B-dul Eroilor nr. 29, 500036 Brasov, RomaniaFaculty of Furniture Design and Wood Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, B-dul Eroilor nr. 29, 500036 Brasov, RomaniaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, B-dul Eroilor nr. 29, 500036 Brasov, RomaniaFaculty of Furniture Design and Wood Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, B-dul Eroilor nr. 29, 500036 Brasov, RomaniaFaculty of Furniture Design and Wood Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, B-dul Eroilor nr. 29, 500036 Brasov, RomaniaFaculty of Furniture Design and Wood Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, B-dul Eroilor nr. 29, 500036 Brasov, RomaniaThis paper evaluates the performance of composites made from date palm (<i>Phoenix dactylifera</i> L.) midribs reinforced with carbon fiber. Two types of adhesives—unsaturated polyester and epoxy resin—were used as binder for the experimental panels. The physical properties and mechanical strength of the composites, as a function of fiber types, lamination configuration, as well as adhesive types, were determined. The density levels of the panels made using epoxy and unsaturated polyester resin were found to be 1103 kg/m<sup>3</sup> and 1133 kg/m<sup>3</sup>, respectively. Panels made using polyester adhesive had 6.05% and 3.98% for water absorption and thickness swelling values, respectively. Corresponding values of 3.09% and 6.35% were found for the panels made using epoxy resin. Mechanical properties of the samples revealed that carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy hybrids offer superior mechanical performance, whereas polyester-based hybrids may be more suitable for impact-resistant applications. Stereo-microscopy and vertical density profile (VDP) analysis of the panels resulted in variations in layer adhesion and density distribution. Based on the findings in this work, carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy-bonded hybrid panels exhibited superior mechanical properties, while those panels made using polyester-based binder would be more suitable where impact resistance is desired. The combination of date palm fibers and carbon fiber presents significant potential for sustainable applications, offering a balance of strength and durability.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6439/13/5/57<i>Phoenix dactylifera</i>long fibersmidribscarbon fiberlaminatemechanical testing
spellingShingle Mohammad Hassan Mazaherifar
Octavia Zeleniuc
Camelia Cerbu
Sergiu-Valeriu Georgescu
Antonela Lungu
Camelia Coșereanu
Performance of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Date Palm Midrib Composites
Fibers
<i>Phoenix dactylifera</i>
long fibers
midribs
carbon fiber
laminate
mechanical testing
title Performance of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Date Palm Midrib Composites
title_full Performance of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Date Palm Midrib Composites
title_fullStr Performance of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Date Palm Midrib Composites
title_full_unstemmed Performance of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Date Palm Midrib Composites
title_short Performance of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Date Palm Midrib Composites
title_sort performance of carbon fiber reinforced date palm midrib composites
topic <i>Phoenix dactylifera</i>
long fibers
midribs
carbon fiber
laminate
mechanical testing
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6439/13/5/57
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AT sergiuvaleriugeorgescu performanceofcarbonfiberreinforceddatepalmmidribcomposites
AT antonelalungu performanceofcarbonfiberreinforceddatepalmmidribcomposites
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