Physico - Mechanical Properties of Dates Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) Pits Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites

This paper investigates the potential of using waste from date fruits as filler for the production of thermosets composites. Unsaturated polyester composites reinforced with filler from date pits were prepared using hand lay up technique at filler contents 10, 20, 30, 40 & 50 %wt, the resulting composites were moulded in sheet and thereafter machined into sizes for analysis. Physico-mechanical test such as density, hardness, tensile and flexural tests were carried out on the composites. Impact properties were also determined. The composite gives maximum tensile strength at 10 % filler ratio while the maximum tensile modulus was observed at 50wt % filler loading with minimum value at 20 % filler content. Maximum values were observed for flexural modulus, flexural and impact strength at 10 & 20wt % filler content respectively, while the minimum value was observed at 50 % filler content. The shore D hardness test gives the highest value at 50 % filler loading. The density was equally observed to be highest at maximum filler ratio of 50. Result obtained from the mechanical tests shows a promising low cost composites material that can be used in non- structural applications.