Elaboration and Characterization of a Hybrid Composite Material with Two Particles of the Same Size: Coco Shells and Palm Shells

Abstract

This work aims to develop and characterize a hybrid composite material with two particles of the same size. As reinforcing particles, the hulls of palm nuts and coconut are chosen. Hybrid composite material composites in the form of specimens were produced by molding at 10%, 20% and 30% mass fractions in various sizes (0.63 mm, 1.25 mm and 2.5 mm). The samples were physically characterized (water absorption rate, moisture content, actual, theoretical and apparent density) and mechanical in 3-point flexion. The main results are: the highest and minimum water absorption rate are respectively 3.57% and 0.67% for respectively particle sizes 1.25 mm (sample P10C30) and 0.67% in the size of 0.63 mm (sample P10C10). The moisture content varies from 0.64 to 7.14% respectively for the P20C20 (2.5 mm) and P10C30 (2.5 mm) samples. The maximum and minimum real density are 1340,518 Kg/m3 and 1055.981 Kg/m3, for respectively the composites of particles sizes 1.25 mm (P20C10) and 0.63 mm (sample P20C20). The minimum real density is Its maximum theoretical density is 1194.949 Kg/m3 (for samples P20C10, P10C10 and P30C10); however, the minimum is 1189.966 Kg/m3 (P10C20 and P20C20). The bulk density varies from 933.28 Kg/m3 to 1176.1 Kg/m3, respectively, in sizes from 2.5 mm (P10C30) to 0.63 mm (for P10C30). As for the mechanical characteristics, the Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) varies from 25.664 GPa to 25.759 GPa, respectively, the samples P10C10 (1.25 mm) and P10C20 (2.5 mm). The MOE values describe a parabola whose peak is reached when the palm shell loads are 20%, that is to say P20C10, whatever the particle size distribution. In resilience, samples with small particles are more resilient with a maximum value of 22.49 J/cm2 and a minimum value of 4.45 J/cm2 to verify the principles of Hall-Petch’s law.