In the quest for sustainable and lightweight materials, a team of researchers led by Abdelwaheb Hadou from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Skikda in Algeria has made a significant breakthrough. Their focus? Dracaena draco fibers, an abundant agricultural waste, which they’ve transformed into a promising reinforcement for bio-epoxy composites. This innovation, published in the journal Results in Engineering (translated from French as “Engineering Results”), could reshape the landscape of structural applications, particularly in the energy and construction sectors.
The study, titled “Developing and characterizing Dracaena draco fiber-reinforced bio-epoxy composites for sustainable structural applications,” explores the potential of these fibers to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of bio-epoxy (BE) matrices. The results are impressive. By incorporating 30% Dracaena draco fibers (DdFs) into the BE matrix, the team achieved a 126% improvement in tensile strength and a 30% increase in Young’s modulus. “The fibers not only enhanced the strength but also improved the thermal stability of the composites,” Hadou explained.
The implications for the energy sector are substantial. Lightweight panels reinforced with DdFs could revolutionize the automotive industry, contributing to more fuel-efficient vehicles. In the construction sector, these composites could be used for cladding and insulation, offering both structural integrity and sustainability. The aerospace industry also stands to benefit, with potential applications in interior structural components.
The research team characterized the composites using a range of tests, including tensile and flexural tests, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). They found that the addition of DdFs significantly improved the storage modulus, a key factor in the material’s ability to store and release mechanical energy. “The dynamic mechanical analysis showed up to a 200% increase in storage modulus, which is a remarkable improvement,” Hadou noted.
However, the study also highlighted some challenges. Water absorption increased with fiber content, reaching 55.12% at a 30% reinforcement level. This reflects the hydrophilic nature of DdFs and suggests that future research should focus on improving the water resistance of these composites.
The findings confirm that DdFs are a promising reinforcement for BE, offering competitive performance compared to other natural fiber composites. By utilizing an underexplored plant fiber, this study contributes to expanding the portfolio of sustainable materials for structural engineering. As the world continues to seek eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials, innovations like these are crucial. They not only push the boundaries of what’s possible but also pave the way for a more sustainable future.