An integrated approach to evaluate mechanical performance of date palm filler reinforced polypropylene

In this study, the mechanical properties of newly developed bio-composites comprising both untreated and chemically treated date palm agro-residue fillers and polypropylene matrix are experimentally evaluated. Then, the experimental results are integrated into a numerical technique using a spring network model to estimate the tensile properties of the date palm filler in a powder form. Indeed, experimentally measuring these properties is a tedious task and time consuming. Besides, the spring network is employed to predict the effective mechanical properties of the bio-composite and simulate progression of fracture including crack onset and evolution in a two-dimensional model of the material. Next, the elastic modulus and strength as obtained numerically are fed into proper analytical models after adjusting relevant input parameters to calculate both stiffness and strength of the bio-composites. The best analytical models along with their adjusted empirical constants that closely fit the experimental outputs are identified. Both numerical and analytical modeling techniques exhibited excellent agreement with the experimental counterparts and as such could act as efficient tools in producing natural fiber polymeric composites with tailored mechanical properties. Besides, the derived bio-composites serve as eco-friendly, renewable, economically competitive material that can be used to design a broad range of products in industries including, construction, automotive, sport and others.