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Original Article

Flexural, thermal and dynamic mechanical

properties of date palm fibres reinforced epoxy
composites

Mohamed Hamdy Gheith a , Mohamed Abdel Aziz a , Waheedullah Ghori a , Naheed Saba b ,
Mohammad Asim b , Mohammad Jawaid b,c,∗ , Othman Y. Alothman c
a College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
b Laboratory of Biocomposite Technology, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400
Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
c Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: The aim of the present study is to improve the flexural, thermal stability and dynamic
Received 9 April 2018 mechanical properties of epoxy composites by reinforcing date palm fibres (DPF) at dif-
Accepted 1 June 2018 ferent loading (40%, 50% and 60% by wt.) and to evaluate the best loading through hand
Available online xxx lay-up technique. Three point bending dynamic properties in terms of storage modulus
(E ), loss modulus (E ) damping factor, Cole–Cole plot and thermal properties were analyzed
Keywords: by dynamic mechanical and thermogravimetric analyser, respectively. Flexural test results
Date palm fibres show that loading of 50% DPF increases both the flexural strength and modulus of pure epoxy
Epoxy composites composites from 26.15 MPa to 32.64 MPa and 2.26 GPa to 3.28 GPa, respectively. TGA results
Flexural strength revealed that reinforcement of DPF in epoxy composites also improves the thermal stability
Thermal stability and residual content. The residual content of epoxy (9.58%), 40% DPF/epoxy (12.51%), 50%
Dynamic mechanical properties DPF/epoxy (19.8%) and for 60% DPF/epoxy composites (15.2%) was noted, revealing that 50%
Damping factor DPF/epoxy composites confers the best result. Incorporation of DPF into epoxy also improves
Cole–Cole plot the E and E but 50% DPF show more remarkable improvement compared to 40% and 60%
DPF loading. Moreover, damping factor decreases considerably by the reinforcement of DPF
and are found lowest for 50% DPF/epoxy composites among all composites. Drawn Cole–Cole
plot also suggests the existence of certain heterogeneity in DPF/epoxy composites compared
to homogenous nature of epoxy composites. We concluded that 50% DPF loading is the ideal
loading to enhanced flexural, thermal stability and dynamic properties of epoxy composites.
© 2018 Brazilian Metallurgical, Materials and Mining Association. Published by Elsevier
Editora Ltda. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

∗
Corresponding author.
E-mail: jawaid md@yahoo.co.in (M. Jawaid).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2018.06.013
2238-7854/© 2018 Brazilian Metallurgical, Materials and Mining Association. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. This is an open access
article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Please cite this article in press as: Gheith MH, et al. Flexural, thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of date palm fibres reinforced epoxy
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DPF reinforced polypropylene (PP) composite materials are

1. Introduction investigated [14]. Researchers found that the addition of DPF
in the PP composites improved the interfacial adhesion and
As far as environment is concern most of the researchers are
hence mechanical and thermal properties. Interestingly, these
focused on the biodegradable and renewable lignocellulosic
fibres are also used as effective filler in both thermosetting
or natural fibres as the most promising material for economic
and thermoplastics materials [12,15,16] and their advanced
growth [1,2]. Renewable resource utilizations provide the opti-
industrial and engineering applications, such as automotive
mistic ways for sustainability of ‘green’ environment. Natural
and airspace components were also reported in literature
fibres such as kenaf, jute, hemp, sisal, pineapple leaf, date
[12]. Some of the recently conveyed study on the date palm
palm and oil palm are considered as waste material and are
materials reinforced polymer composites are presented in
found abundantly throughout the world [3,4]. Although nat-
Table 1.
ural fibres have many advantage over synthetic fibre such as
From the literature survey, it is evident that no work has
high biodegradability, non-abrasive nature, low energy con-
been reported on the incorporation of DPF in epoxy compos-
sumption, low densities/cost and high specific mechanical
ites. The present research is aimed to explore the effect of
properties [5,6]. However, many researchers reviewed that nat-
DPF loading (40%, 50% and 60% by wt.) on flexural strength,
ural fibres can effectively be used as filler/reinforced material
flexural modulus, thermal and dynamic mechanical proper-
in varieties of thermoplastic and thermoset polymer compos-
ties of epoxy composites. Besides this, it also open a platform
ites for constructional and automotive applications [7–9].
to utilize huge deposition of DPF in the Saudi Arabian region
Concerning about the date palm, the worldwide annual
as renewable and green reinforcing filler in polymer compos-
production of date palm tree is 42% more in comparison to
ite industries like other natural fibres such as kenaf, jute or
coir and 20–10% more compared to hemp and sisal. Each stem
hemp.
of palm tree is surrounded by a mesh of single cross fibres
which appears as a natural woven mat of fibres with different
diameters. Most commonly, this mat is separated and cleaned 2. Materials and method
to make baskets and ropes. DPF is an aggregation of 2–5 ␮m
sized multicellular fibre containing a central void and its shape Epoxy resin and hardener (Jointmine 905-3S) was supplied by
and structure resembles to coir fibre [10,11]. DPF is multicellu- Tazdiq Engineering Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia. DPF were imported
lar lignocellulosic fibre containing polysaccharides cellulose from (Riyadh)-Saudi Arabia. The chemical composition of DPF
(38–40%), lignin and a few minor components of fat, wax, shown in Table 2 was made at Malaysian Agricultural Research
pectin and inorganic substance [12]. Several attempts have and Development Institute (MARDI), Selangor, Malaysia.
been made to reinforce the DPF in thermoplastics and ther-
mosets polymer to improve their physical, mechanical and 2.1. Fabrication of composites
thermal properties. But prior to reinforcement, usually sur-
face modification is necessary to purify and clean the surface In this study DPF is used as filler for the fabrication of
of the fibres from large amount of impurities and uncom- DPF/epoxy composites at different loading. Prior to this, DPF
pleted growth, as they may result in poor adhesion between is ground into 0.8–1 mm by using grinding machine having
fibre and polymer. In one study, short DPF reinforced mod- average 6–8% moisture content and DPF/epoxy composites
ified polyester and epoxy matrices has been reported with were fabricated through hand lay-up technique and are tested
better morphology and enhanced mechanical properties [13]. according to ASTM standard. The ratio of DPF and epoxy in
In other study, natural weathering and thermal stability of DPF/epoxy composites are listed in Table 3.

Table 1 – Exclusive literature reported on date palm reinforced polymer composites.

Reinforcements Polymer matrix References

Date palm fibres Polyester [17]

Date palm stem fibres Epoxy [18]
Date palm wood fronds Polyester [19]
Date palm fibres Polypropylene (PP) [20]
Date palm fibres High density polyethylene (HDPE) [21]
Short date palm fibres Poly-epoxy thermoset [22]
Date palm fibres Polyester [23]
Date palm seed particles Polyester [24]
Date seeds powder Polyester [25]
Date palm fibres PP [26]
Date palm leaflets Polystyrene [27]
Date palm fibres and graphite filler Epoxy [28]
Date palm fibres Thermoplastic starch [29]
Date palm particles Polyurethane [30]
Date palm fibres Recycled PP/low density polyethylene (LDPE)/HDPE ternary blends [31]

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40 4
Table 2 – Chemical composition of DPF.
35 3.5
Constituents of DPF Value (%)

Flexural Strength (MPa)

Flexural modulus (GPa)

30 3
Cellulose 26.92
25 2.5
Hemicellulose 43.21
Lignin 27.42 20 2
Extractives 1.75 15 1.5
Others 0.70
10 1

5 0.5
Table 3 – Formulation of DPF/epoxy composites.
0 0
Polymer composites Epoxy resin in wt.% DPF in wt.% Neat Epoxy 40%DPF 50%DPF 60%DPF

Neat epoxy resin 100 0 Fig. 1 – Effect of DPF loading on flexural strength and
40% DPF 60 40
modulus of epoxy composites.
50% DPF 50 50
60% DPF 40 60

epoxy composites get increased up to 32.64 MPa and 3.28 GPa,

3. Characterizations
3.1. Flexural testing
Three-point bending flexural tests according to ASTM D790
standard with the crosshead speed of 2.0 mm/min were
applied on upper and lower surface of each six replicate
specimens of pure epoxy composites and each DPF/epoxy
composites and the failure was calculated when bending of
specimen reach up to corresponding critical point.
3.2. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
Thermal stability of epoxy and DPF/epoxy composites were
characterized by using a thermo-gravimetric analyzer (TGA
Q500, TA Instruments, USA) at 20 ◦ C/min under a room tem-
perature in the range of 30–700 ◦ C.
3.3. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA)
DMA was executed according to ASTM D4065-01 to determine
the viscoelastic behaviour of DPF/epoxy and pure epoxy com-
posites as a function of temperature through TA Instruments
Q800 DMA, operating at an oscillation frequency of 1 Hz and
temperature ranging from 30 ◦ C to 150 ◦ C with a heating rate
of 5 ◦ C/min.
4. Results and discussion
4.1. Flexural properties
Effect of loading DPF (40%, 50% and 60%) on the flexural
strength and modulus on the epoxy composites are presented
in Fig. 1.
From Fig. 1, the flexural strength and modulus of pure
epoxy composites are 26.15 MPa and 2.26 GPa, respectively.
However, the addition of DPF increases consecutive both flex-
ural strength and modulus of epoxy composites up to 50%
fibre loading, but beyond this loading a remarkable decre-
ment are observed. The flexural strength and modulus at
40% DPF loading are 28.6 MPa and 2.3 GPa, respectively, but
at 50% DPF loading both flexural strength and modulus of
respectively. The comparative increment in flexural strength
and modulus of 50% DPF/epoxy composite with pure epoxy
composites are recorded as 122.7% and 141.6%, respectively.
However, at 60% DPF loading, reduction in the flexural strength
(27.83 MPa) and modulus (2.94 GPa) of epoxy composites are
noticed. Research findings reported that an increment of fibre
loading in composites can increases both the flexural strength
of composites up to critical loading point [8,32,33]. Decline in
the value of flexural properties beyond 50% loading can be
ascribed on account of insufficient quantity of available poly-
mer matrix to wet or cover all reinforced DPF [32], resulting
poor interfacial adhesion between DPF and epoxy matrix to
transfer the applied stress under observation. This argument
is in line with other researchers where date palm particles
get agglomerates on higher loading in polyurethane matrix,
due to poor wetting of the particles by the matrix besides
the incompatibility due to hydrophilicity of reinforcement
and hydrophobicity of polyurethane matrix [30]. Moreover,
observed highest flexural strength and modulus of DPF/epoxy
composites at 50% loading are also in line with other existing
findings showing better flexural properties at 50% fibre loading
[29,33,34].
4.2. Thermal properties
Comparative TGA analysis of DPF/epoxy composites and pure
epoxy composites sample was carried out in a programmed
temperature range of 30–700 ◦ C are displayed in Fig. 2.
Incorporation of DPF into the epoxy matrix increased the
thermal stability, as evidenced by the TGA analysis in Fig. 2.
In the case of DPF/epoxy composites, the first weight loss
between 60 and 100 ◦ C corresponds to vaporization of water
molecules or moisture content as also observed in the case of
natural fibre polymer composites [35,36]. Researchers revealed
that the presence of water molecule in the wall structure or
void space and the water absorption at the interfacial bonding
fibre–matrix [37] are ascribed for minimizing the mechanical
strength of natural fibre composites [38].
From the Fig. 2 it is evident that pure epoxy composites
shows relatively less weight loss at 100 ◦ C temperature, indi-
cating the presence of less water molecules. Moreover, TGA
results of pure epoxy composites and DPF/epoxy composites
are summarized in Table 4. It is evidently observed that there

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40% DPF/epoxy 60% DPF/epoxy

110 60% DPF/epoxy 27 40% DPF/epoxy
100 50% DPF/epoxy 24
50% DPF/epoxy
Pure epoxy Pure epoxy
90
21
80
Weight loss (%)

70 18

DTG (%/C)
60 15
50
12
40
30 9

20 6
10
3
0
0
-10
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
Temperature (ºC) Temperature (ºC)

Fig. 2 – TGA plot of epoxy and DPF/epoxy composites. Fig. 3 – DTG curve of epoxy and DPF/epoxy composites.

is weight loss in all types of composites, which typically occurs
in most of the lignocellulosic fibre and its composites [39–42].
Pure epoxy composites showed 65.11% weight loss at
305.02 ◦ C and the final remaining residue was 9.58%. The
degradation mechanism of an epoxy matrix can be explained
on account of a two-step mechanism, starting with dehydra-
tion followed by chain scission step [43,44]. 40% DPF loading
composites showed weight loss of 70.99% at the temperature
of 299.72 ◦ C and final residue was 12.51%, quite more in com-
pared to pure epoxy (9.58%), might be due to lignin content
of DPF. 50% DPF/epoxy composites showed the highest ther-
mal degradation temperature (316.9 ◦ C) and higher residual
content (19.8%) or lower weight loss among all DPF loadings.
But beyond 50% loading, the 60% DPF/epoxy composites also
confers higher thermal degradation temperature and resid-
ual content (15.2%), but relatively less in comparison to 50%
DPF/epoxy composites. Thus, it is evident that on exposure
to higher temperature all DPF/epoxy composites undergoes
weight loss due to the thermal decomposition of hemicel-
lulose, lignin, pectin and the glycosidic linkages of cellulose
of natural fibres [31]. However, 50% DPF/epoxy composites
results better thermal stability, as the char content or the
residual content at relatively higher temperature (∼700 ◦ C) is
more in compared to other composites, and the higher residue
content also improve the flame resistance behaviour under
investigation [43].
Derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) analysis of pure epoxy
and DPF/epoxy composites were also carried out to investigate
derivative mass loss are shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 shows the decomposition temperature of each com-
ponent of composites correlated with peak of DTG curves.
There was only one peak located in the neat epoxy at 330 ◦ C
in the DTG curve, which showed stages of degradation in the
matrix with the maximum rate of degradation at 19%/min.
DPF/epoxy composites exhibited two peaks; the height of the
first peak was lowest, which indicates the presence of water
molecules in the hemicelluloses of DPF/epoxy composites or
the existence of voids that developed during the fabrication
of the composites. The heights of the second peak of the
DPF/epoxy are higher indicating that all DPF/epoxy compos-
ites decomposed at a relatively higher temperature compared
to pure epoxy, however, 50% DPF/epoxy decomposed at rel-
atively higher temperature among all. Moreover, Fig. 3 also
revealed that derivative weight loss of epoxy composites was
relatively higher with respect to all DPF/epoxy composites,
while 50% DPF/epoxy displayed the minimal derivative weight
loss. The observed result are also in agreement with other
researches, where DPF and flax fibres are reinforced at total
50% loading in biodegradable starch-based composites [45].
4.3. Dynamic mechanical properties
4.3.1. Storage modulus (E )
The E vs. temperature were plotted to extract important infor-
mation about stiffness, fibre/matrix interfacial bonding and
degree of cross linking of materials [46]. E contributes to elab-
orate elasticity of composite components and has three region
namely glassy region, transition region and rubbery region
[47]. Fig. 4 display the effect of different DPF loading (40%, 50%
and 60% by wt.) on E of epoxy composites.
Research study declares that in the glassy region, com-
posite components are in highly compact and frozen stage
resulting high E value [48]. Beyond glass transition region,
E of all composites decreases considerably due to increase
in mobility of polymer chain above Tg temperature [49] and
defined the rubbery region. From the Fig. 4, it is also evident

Table 4 – Degradation temperature and residual content of composites obtained from TGA.
Composite samples Degradation temperature (◦ C) and weight loss (%) Final residue (%)

◦
( C) (%)

Pure epoxy composites 305.02 65.11 9.58

40% DPF/epoxy 299.72 70.99 12.51
50% DPF/epoxy 316.9 75.54 19.8
60% DPF/epoxy 281.58 74.21 15.2

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40% DPF/epoxy 60% DPF/epoxy

60% DPF/epoxy 40% DPF/epoxy
50% DPF/epoxy 0.8
50% DPF/epoxy
2000 Pure epoxy Pure epoxy
Storage Modulus (MPa)

0.7
1600
0.6

Tan Delta
1200 0.5

0.4
800 0.3
0.2
400
0.1
0 0.0
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Temperature (ºC) Temperature (ºC)

Fig. 4 – Storage modulus of epoxy and DPF/epoxy Fig. 6 – Damping factor of epoxy and DPF/epoxy
composites. composites.

that incorporation of DPF in epoxy composites improves the
E of pure epoxy composites, however, it marginal increment
in 40% DPF loading in the glassy region indicating that fibre
loading did not confers much effect in the molecular mobil-
ity of the polymer chains above Tg [50]. Furthermore, E of
epoxy composites get improved after the addition of fibres
up to 50% representing the higher stiffness and perfect distri-
bution of DPF within epoxy matrix of developed composites.
But further increment of DPF content beyond 50% showed
noticeable reduction in modulus chiefly ascribed due to weak
fibre/matrix adhesion, unevenly dispersion and agglomera-
tion of DPF within epoxy matrix which might reduce the
reinforcing effect of fibre as filler in composites [51]. Recently
research study reported that the thermal properties of pineap-
ple leaf fibre and kenaf fibre of total 50% fibres loading in
phenolic composites also exhibits highest E [52].
4.3.2. Loss modulus (E )
The loss modulus curve is the measure of energy dissipated as
heat per cycle under deformation experienced in a viscoelastic
material [47]. Fig. 5 presents the effect of different DPF fibre
(40%, 50% and 60% by wt.) loading on loss modulus of epoxy
composites.
Fig. 5 clearly shows that E plot follows somehow the same
trend as E verses temperature, showing improvements by the
incorporation of DPF. Furthermore, all E curves reach a max-
imum values for maximum dissipation of mechanical energy
and decreases for higher temperatures, as a result of the free
240
200
Loss Modulus (MPa)
movement of the polymer chains. From Fig. 5, it is clearly evi-
dent that the pure epoxy display narrow peak in the range
of temperature 70–80 ◦ C. However, the addition of DPF in the
epoxy matrix improved the loss modulus peak height of epoxy
composites, since the ranges of peak express the diversity of
chain segment of polymer three-dimensionally [53]. Broad-
ening the curve of the polymer matrix after the addition of
DPF indicated that fibre played an important role above Tg.
The broadening in E is due to enhancement in chain seg-
ment as well as more free volume with the addition of natural
fibres [54]. Interestingly, the difference in E of 40% and 60%
DPF/epoxy composites are marginal, however, 50% DPF load-
ing shows improved E may be due to better adhesion of matrix
with fibres. The highest E peak height of 50% DPF/epoxy also
indicates the possibilities of its higher mechanical properties
compared to epoxy composites and among all DPF/epoxy com-
posites. Similar arguments and observations are observed in
the case of kenaf hybrid composites [55].
4.3.3. Damping factor
Fig. 6 illustrates the damping factor of the pure epoxy and
different loading (40%, 50% and 60% by wt.) of DPF/epoxy com-
posites plotted vs. temperature. It is evidently clear that the
incorporation of DPF at all loadings influenced the damping
factor of epoxy composites.
It was also observed that, damping factor reaches maxi-
mum in a transition region and then reduced dramatically
in a rubbery region. This phenomenon represent the initial
frozen stage before Tg and then mobility of small groups of
Pure epoxy materials/or molecules within polymer structure after glass
40% DPF/epoxy
60% DPF/epoxy transition region [46]. Moreover, epoxy composites showed
50% DPF/epoxy
higher peak value of damping factor indicating higher degree

of molecular mobility [56] compared to the rest DPF/epoxy

160 composites. But the addition of DPF in epoxy substantially
120 decreases the viscoelastic damping factor as because epoxy
resin is known as bad thermal resistance and higher ther-
80
mal resistant polymers used to have minimum degree of
40 molecular mobility [57,58]. Remarkably 50% DPF reinforced
0 epoxy composites shows lower damping factor while 40%
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
DPF/epoxy composites convey highest among the rest DPF
reinforced epoxy composites. Moreover, peak of dynamic
Temperature (ºC)
damping of epoxy composites also get broader due to incorpo-
Fig. 5 – Loss modulus of epoxy and DPF/epoxy composites. ration of DPF indicating the higher crosslinking density in all

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60% DPF/epoxy
40% DPF/epoxy
240
50% DPF/epoxy
Pure epoxy
Loss Modulus (MPa)
200
160
120
80
40
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800
Storage Modulus (MPa)
Fig. 7 – Cole–Cole plot of epoxy and DPF/epoxy composites.
DPF/epoxy composites [55]. A wider peak of dynamic damp-
ing are observed for 50% DPF/epoxy, revealing the existence
of more time for relaxation of molecules due to lower poly-
meric chains movement due to better interfacial interaction.
Researcher reported in the literature that in case of fibres rein-
forced polymer composites, the damping peak height appear
due to fibre’s internal energy dissipation between fibre/matrix
inter-phase [59].
4.4. Cole–Cole plot
Cole–Cole also referred as Wicket plot is the highly valuable
method to interpret the relationship between E and E [47].
Homogenous curves indicated by smooth, semicircular arc,
while imperfect or irregular shape signifies the heterogeneity
in the polymeric system [41]. Fig. 7 displayed the Cole–Cole plot
where the E data are plotted as a function of E for all epoxy
composites. It is evident from Cole–Cole curve that epoxy
composites have relatively lowest heterogeneity revealing its
brittle nature.
While the addition of DPF in epoxy reduces its homo-
geneity and increases heterogeneity, associated with greater
differences in the relaxation process of incorporated DPF.
Interestingly, 40% DPF loading shows almost similar semi-
circular and smooth arc, indicating perfect distribution in the
epoxy matrix. However, in the case of 50% DPF loading the
graph shows great deviation from semi-circular, but still deliv-
ers a very smooth semi arc plot without any upward inflection.
But at 60% loading, there is a clear deviation from semi-circular
shape showing irregular arc which indicates immiscibility or
aggregation of DPF resulting poor interfacial interaction. All
this contributes to irregular and modified semi-circular arc in
Cole–Cole plots. Overall, 50% DPF loading found optimal with
perfect interfacial bonding between epoxy and reinforcement
providing high E and thermal stability.
5. Conclusion
This study deals the successful incorporation of DPF at
different fibres loading to enhance the flexural, thermal
and dynamic properties of epoxy composites. Both flexural
strength and modulus of epoxy composites get enhanced by
the addition of DPF, however 50% DPF loading shows better
improvement compared to the rest of composites, ascribed
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on the basis of better dispersion, wetting of fibres and inter-
facial bonding between DPF and epoxy matrix. TGA and DTG
analysis also exposed that 50% DPF loading improved the ther-
mal stability and residual content, explained on account of
better compatibility and adhesion in which polymer acts as
a barrier to prevent the degradation of fibres. Furthermore,
remarkable improvement in E and E for 50% DPF loading,
whereas noticeable reductions beyond 50% in these dynamic
properties are observed. Besides this incorporation of DPF also
results considerable reduction in mobility hence reduces the
damping factor of all DPF/epoxy composites relative to pure
epoxy composites.
The success of this work probably minimize huge date
palm wastes deposition and could provide an attempt to lower
the existing use of synthetic fibres in polymer composite
industries for advanced engineering applications such as in
automotive, paper making and outdoor applications.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgments
This work is funded by Deanship of Scientific Research, King
Khalid University, Abha, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Project
No. (499) and the authors express their gratitude to King Khalid
University for supporting this research work.
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