Thermomechanical behavior of Tunisian palm fibers before and after alkalization

This work is integrated into the theme of valorizing natural and local resources, which the aim to have a composite material, based on palm fibers ready for use in thermal insulation. The palm fibers are well known by their strong mechanical properties and subsequently, the mechanical characteristics of composite material will be more significant. However, the field of composite materials still poses the adhesion problem between matrix and reinforcements. Hence, a treatment on the palm fibers may present a solution to limit its degradation in the long term and to improve the adhesion between the matrix and the fibers. A treatment was carried out by sodium hydroxide (NaOH), with several concentrations (0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 2% and 5%) during different time intervals. The palm fibers were characterized before and after the treatment, mechanically (micro traction test) and thermically ATG). Fiber surface morphology is analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show an improvement of the thermo mechanical characteristics after Alkalization.