Exploring tensile properties of bio composites reinforced date palm fibers using experimental and Modelling Approaches

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the tensile strength of epoxy bio-composites reinforced with palm fibers, both untreated and treated with sodium carbonate NaHCO3 at a concentration of 10 % (w/v) for 24 and 96 h, with varying weight percentages of fibers (15 %, 20 %, 25 %, and 30 %). To predict the mechanical performance of the composites, two methods were employed: artificial neural network (ANN) and response surface methodology (RSM). A Box-Behnken RSM design was used to conduct experiments and establish a mathematical model of the bio-composite behavior as a function of the fiber percentage in the samples, specimen cross-section, and treatment time. The ANN forecasts showed consistent expected values for the bio-composite sample behavior, with a correlation coefficient (R2) greater than 0.98 for Young's modulus and 0.97 for stress. Similarly, the correlation coefficients obtained by RSM for the mechanical properties were also highly satisfactory, with an R2 of 0.89 for Young's modulus and 0.87 for stress. Finally, the errors generated by each method (Box-Behnken and ANN) were compared to the experimental results.