Physical, Thermal and Mechanical Characterization of a New Material Composite Based on Fibrous Wood Particles of Date Palm Tree

Abstract

The objective of this work is to valorize the waste from date palms tree which is often abandoned in the palm groves The aim is to produce a new composite based on this waste that can be used as an alternative material to the conventional insulators. The approach consists in making a composite material from petiole wood (WPC) in different particle sizes (0 to 1, 1 to 3 and 3 to 5) mm. We then characterized the physical, thermal and mechanical properties of this new material (WPC). The results obtained proved the relative anisotropy of the material and the effect of the particle size distribution on these properties. The composites (WPC) had low density in the range (0.16-0.56) g/cm3 and also exhibited low thermal conductivity, in the range (0.109-0.122)W/mK°. These weak properties make it possible to use (WPC) as an effective insulator. These characteristics were quite acceptable in comparison with other thermal insulation materials such as cork agglomerate and traditional wood. The interesting mechanical properties of the new composite (WPC) have been shown by the tensile tests and the three-point flexural tests. These results make it possible to valorize these materials (WPC) for possible industrial applications.