Thermo- physics behaviour of raphia vinifera/ Epoxy woven material: Experimental and theoretical approach

This work deals with the analysis of the thermo-physical behavior of the raffia vinifiera/Epoxy bio-composite. The material is elaborated then, the thermal and physical properties are determined experimentally and theoretically. The experimental analysis of the thermal behavior is done by the hot plate method and that of the physical behavior it is done by the measuring the density and the kinetics of absorption which is used to evaluate the rate of absorption and the diffusion of water. The theoretical analysis, on the thermal conductivity used the model of Ning/Chou to homogenize the coefficient of conductivity and the method of finite elements in the software Abaqus C.A.E 6.14 to simulate the heat transfer through the composite; the theoretical determination of the density is done using the equation of Agrawal and Broutman. This work shows that the results obtained in experimental approach corroborate well with the theoretical ones. Moreover, this material presents very interesting characteristics such as a very low thermal conductivity which makes it a good insulating material on the one hand and on the other hand a low density (light and less absorbent material) compared to the wood species used in shipbuilding; thus, it is a suitable material for the construction of the superstructure of floating boats.