DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS OF ARGAN NUT POWDER REINFORCED BIOCOMPOSITES: EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL STUDY

In this research, we create several biocomposites based on poly(butylene succinate) PBS, poly(lactic acid) PLA, and maleic-anhydride-grafted polypropylene MAPP, reinforced with argan nut powder ANP. The samples were synthesized using twin screw extrusion coupled with injection modeling. The determination of the biochemical composition of ANP shows that it is not very different from flax shives or wood fibers. Scanning electron microscopy is used to determinate the morphology of ANP and there distribution in composites. Tensile testing was employed to determinate the mechanical behavior compared to neat matrix. In parallel with the experimental study, a numerical model allows the simulation of the mechanical properties, taking into account the morphology of the natural aggregates. Different models can be created using this approach with volume fractions up to 30%. The mechanical characteristics of these composites are estimated using the numerical homogenization approach. The numerical findings generated using the 3D model are compared to relevant experimental data and analytical models that have been published in the literature. Discussion was held about the effectiveness of the most popular micromechanical models for predicting the elastic characteristics of biocomposites.