Characterization of the Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Hybrid Composites from Date Palm Fiber/Glass Wool Reinforced by Unsaturated Polyester

This study aims to investigate the mechanical and morphological properties of hybrid composites fabricated from a Date Palm Mesh Fiber (DPMF) and glass wool reinforced with unsaturated polyester. The development of eco-friendly and efficient thermal insulation materials is crucial for reducing energy consumption and addressing environmental concerns. The hybrid composites were manufactured using the Bulk Molding Compound technique, and various factors such as fiber composition weight percentage, particle size, and quantities of DPMF and glass wool fibers were evaluated. Tensile, impact, and flexural bending tests were conducted to assess the mechanical properties of the composites. Design-Expert 12 software and analysis of variance ANOVA were employed to analyze the effects of fiber ratio, matrix ratio, and fiber size on the mechanical properties. The experimental results showed that the fiber content, DPMF content, and DPMF particle size in the matrix significantly influenced the mechanical properties of the hybrid composites. Increasing the fiber content and DPMF particle sizes improved the interfacial bonding between DPMF and the polymer matrix, enhancing the matrix's tensile strength and flexural strength of the composites. However, high amounts of DPMF resulted in poor energy absorption abilities of the composites under impact load. The fractography analysis using FESEM confirmed the mechanical test results by revealing a rough fracture surface in the composites reinforced with DPMF, indicating stronger bonding between the fibers and the unsaturated polyester matrix. This study highlights the potential of hybrid composites as eco-friendly and efficient thermal insulation materials and provides insights into the influence of various parameters on their mechanical properties.