The valorisation of natural waste proves highly promising given its abundance in our environment. In this context, we developed a polyester matrix composite reinforced with treated fibres extracted from the coconut rachis (Cocos nucifera). Prior to incorporation, the fibres were subjected to an alkaline treatment and then added at different volume fractions (10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) into the matrix using a manual hand lay-up technique. After fabrication of the composite material, the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of each specimen were evaluated. Regarding the physical properties, the results indicate an increase in composite porosity, ranging from 6.877% to 13.437% depending on the fibre content. The water absorption rate shows a slight, monotonic rise, averaging 0.49%. Concerning the mechanical properties, the composite containing 25% fibres exhibits the best tensile and flexural strengths, with values of 19.450 MPa and 28.718 MPa, respectively. Thermal assessment using an asymmetric hot plate device reveals that fibre incorporation enhances the thermal insulation of the material. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis highlights a predominantly amorphous structure at 0% fibre content, with characteristic peaks of polyester. From 15% onwards, crystallinity peaks associated with cellulose and minerals begin to appear. At 25% and 30%, crystallinity becomes more pronounced, reflecting improved structuring of the fibrous phases and stronger interaction with the matrix. These observations are consistent with the literature on natural fibre composites.
| Published in | Composite Materials (Volume 9, Issue 2) |
| DOI | 10.11648/j.cm.20250902.13 |
| Page(s) | 81-97 |
| Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Polyester Composite, Coconut Rachis Fibres, Alkaline Treatment, Mechanical and Thermal Properties, X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
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APA Style
Atangana, G. E., Tchotang, T., Anyi, J. N., Ayissi, Z. M., Tchawe, M. T. (2025). Physical, Mechanical, and Thermal Characterization of a Cocos Nucifera Rachis Reinforced Polyester Matrix Composite. Composite Materials, 9(2), 81-97. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20250902.13
ACS Style
Atangana, G. E.; Tchotang, T.; Anyi, J. N.; Ayissi, Z. M.; Tchawe, M. T. Physical, Mechanical, and Thermal Characterization of a Cocos Nucifera Rachis Reinforced Polyester Matrix Composite. Compos. Mater. 2025, 9(2), 81-97. doi: 10.11648/j.cm.20250902.13
AMA Style
Atangana GE, Tchotang T, Anyi JN, Ayissi ZM, Tchawe MT. Physical, Mechanical, and Thermal Characterization of a Cocos Nucifera Rachis Reinforced Polyester Matrix Composite. Compos Mater. 2025;9(2):81-97. doi: 10.11648/j.cm.20250902.13
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Download@article{10.11648/j.cm.20250902.13,
author = {Gallus Eric Atangana and Theodore Tchotang and Joseph Nkongho Anyi and Zacharie Merlin Ayissi and Moukam Tchawe Tchawe},
title = {Physical, Mechanical, and Thermal Characterization of a Cocos Nucifera Rachis Reinforced Polyester Matrix Composite},
journal = {Composite Materials},
volume = {9},
number = {2},
pages = {81-97},
doi = {10.11648/j.cm.20250902.13},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20250902.13},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cm.20250902.13},
abstract = {The valorisation of natural waste proves highly promising given its abundance in our environment. In this context, we developed a polyester matrix composite reinforced with treated fibres extracted from the coconut rachis (Cocos nucifera). Prior to incorporation, the fibres were subjected to an alkaline treatment and then added at different volume fractions (10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) into the matrix using a manual hand lay-up technique. After fabrication of the composite material, the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of each specimen were evaluated. Regarding the physical properties, the results indicate an increase in composite porosity, ranging from 6.877% to 13.437% depending on the fibre content. The water absorption rate shows a slight, monotonic rise, averaging 0.49%. Concerning the mechanical properties, the composite containing 25% fibres exhibits the best tensile and flexural strengths, with values of 19.450 MPa and 28.718 MPa, respectively. Thermal assessment using an asymmetric hot plate device reveals that fibre incorporation enhances the thermal insulation of the material. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis highlights a predominantly amorphous structure at 0% fibre content, with characteristic peaks of polyester. From 15% onwards, crystallinity peaks associated with cellulose and minerals begin to appear. At 25% and 30%, crystallinity becomes more pronounced, reflecting improved structuring of the fibrous phases and stronger interaction with the matrix. These observations are consistent with the literature on natural fibre composites.},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR T1 - Physical, Mechanical, and Thermal Characterization of a Cocos Nucifera Rachis Reinforced Polyester Matrix Composite AU - Gallus Eric Atangana AU - Theodore Tchotang AU - Joseph Nkongho Anyi AU - Zacharie Merlin Ayissi AU - Moukam Tchawe Tchawe Y1 - 2025/12/24 PY - 2025 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20250902.13 DO - 10.11648/j.cm.20250902.13 T2 - Composite Materials JF - Composite Materials JO - Composite Materials SP - 81 EP - 97 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2994-7103 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20250902.13 AB - The valorisation of natural waste proves highly promising given its abundance in our environment. In this context, we developed a polyester matrix composite reinforced with treated fibres extracted from the coconut rachis (Cocos nucifera). Prior to incorporation, the fibres were subjected to an alkaline treatment and then added at different volume fractions (10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) into the matrix using a manual hand lay-up technique. After fabrication of the composite material, the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of each specimen were evaluated. Regarding the physical properties, the results indicate an increase in composite porosity, ranging from 6.877% to 13.437% depending on the fibre content. The water absorption rate shows a slight, monotonic rise, averaging 0.49%. Concerning the mechanical properties, the composite containing 25% fibres exhibits the best tensile and flexural strengths, with values of 19.450 MPa and 28.718 MPa, respectively. Thermal assessment using an asymmetric hot plate device reveals that fibre incorporation enhances the thermal insulation of the material. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis highlights a predominantly amorphous structure at 0% fibre content, with characteristic peaks of polyester. From 15% onwards, crystallinity peaks associated with cellulose and minerals begin to appear. At 25% and 30%, crystallinity becomes more pronounced, reflecting improved structuring of the fibrous phases and stronger interaction with the matrix. These observations are consistent with the literature on natural fibre composites. VL - 9 IS - 2 ER -
Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, National Advanced School on Engineering, Yaoundé, Cameroun;Department of Marine Mechanical Engineering, National Higher School of Maritime and Oceanic Sciences and Techniques (ENSTMO) of the University of Ebolowa, Kribi, Cameroon;Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lasalle Technical Institute of Higher Education, Douala, Cameroon
Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, National Advanced School on Engineering, Yaoundé, Cameroun;Department of Marine Mechanical Engineering, National Higher School of Maritime and Oceanic Sciences and Techniques (ENSTMO) of the University of Ebolowa, Kribi, Cameroon
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Higher Technical Teacher's Training College (HTTTC) of the University of Buea, Kumba, Cameroun
Department of Automotive and Mechatronic Engineering, National Polytechnic School of University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
Department of Mechanical Engineering, ENSAIcom University, Ngaoundéré, Cameroun
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