Influence of Palm Kernel Shell/Wood Dust on Mechanical Properties with Epoxy Resin Composites

The enormous quantity of palm kernel shell (PKS) and wood dust released in the environment as byproduct of wood processing and oil processing respectively, poses a major threat to the environment through land, water and air pollution during the local waste handling methods of dumping and burning of these byproducts. This study aimed at investigates the influence of waste palm kernel shell/wood dust with epoxy resin. Physical properties of PKS and wood dust, chemical compositions of wood dust and mechanical characterization of it composites were carried out. Palm kernel shell were pretreated with hot distill water at 1000C with 5% sodium Hydroxide (NAOH) to eliminate impurities and then sun dried it for 4 days. The physical properties of PKS and wood dust; moisture content, apparent density, specific gravity and grain size distribution and PKS equivalent test were conducted. Chemical properties such as cellulose, lignin, pectin, hemicellulose contents for wood dust were investigated. Three different sample composition of twelve each was moulded with 40% of epoxy resin and PKS/wood dust content of 20/40, 25/35 and 30/30. Compressive strength, flexural strength, impact test and Water absorption rate were determined. It was observed that the PKS/wood dust that the averages of moisture content, apparent density, specific gravity and fineness modulus were 14.89%/25.27%, 0.72 gmL-3/0.21 gmL-3, 1.323/1.28 and 58.4/33.29 respectively with average PKS equivalent of 80.4%. The results showed that the compressive strength, flexural strength and impact strength were 11.58-15.77 MPa, 8.03-10.99 MPa and 249-258×〖10〗^6 KJ/m^2 respectively and water absorption was 13.22-64.79%. The minimum strength was observed at 20/40 while the maximum strength was observed at 30/30 content. PKS/wood dust with epoxy resin composite can promote the use local materials in building construction as wall tiles.