In this work, date palm waste (DPW) stemming from the annual pruning of date palm was used as a reinforcing filler in polypropylene matrix at 20-60 wt.%. Only a grinding process of the DPW has been performed to ensure no residue generation and full utilization. The present work investigates how the DPW use affects mechanical properties and water absorption of the ensuing composite. The effect of the addition of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) as a coupling agent on the composite properties was also studied. It was shown that the reinforcing potential of DPW was strongly dependent on aspect ratio and interface quality. The MAPP addition resulted in a composite with higher strength and stiffness than the neat PP, meaning that DPW behaves as reinforcement. The difference in the reinforcing effect was explained by the change in the quality of the interface between date palm waste and the polypropylene polymeric chain.
Keywords: agro-waste management; composites; date palm waste; mechanical properties; water uptake.