Palmyra palm shell reinforced epoxy composites for structural applications: A study of mechanical, thermal, and water absorption properties

The rising demand for environmentally sustainable materials has led to the investigation of natural fillers as substitutes for synthetic fillers in polymeric composites. Agricultural waste, such as palmyra palm shell, is a promising candidate due to its abundance and biodegradability. The mechanical and thermal characteristics of epoxy composites based on palmyra palm shell powder (PPSP) that ranges from 3wt%, 5wt%, 7wt%, 9wt%, and 11wt% are examined in this work. The 9 wt% epoxy composites revealed the maximum mechanical properties, with a highest tensile strength of 21.29 MPa, a flexural strength of 54.73 MPa, and an impact resistance of 8.28 kJ/m ² . Structural identification of the composites was also analyzed by FT-IR. The microstructure of the PPSP composites were also evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. The results of this study indicate that PPSP-based composites are appropriate for low-impact applications, such as decorative and garden tiles, and environmentally sustainable alternatives to wood-derived products and automotive interior elements.