THE EFFECT OF PALM KERNEL SHELL AS FILLER ON THE PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES IN POLYMERIC MATRICES COMPOSITES

Abstract

The effects at different percentages of palm kernel shell filler loading in polymer matrices on water absorption
and flexural strength of the composite were studied. Different percentages of filler loadings used were 3%, 6%,
9% 12% and 15% in order to gain insight into the effect of filler content on the physical and mechanical
properties. The test of water absorption and flexural strength was carried out according to American Standard
Testing Machine (ASTM) D570 and ASTM D638. The result obtained at different percentages of palm kernel
shell filler loading with polymer matrices composite showed that HDPE composite for water absorption test was
found to be 12% (38.22%) > 3% (8.62%) > 6% (7.66%) > 9% (6.05%) > 15% (1.90%). GPS: 3% (19.37%) >
12% (0.71%) > 6% (0.50%) > 9% (0.49%) > 15% (3.40%). PP: 15% (35.88%) > 9% (11.12%) > 6% (3.61%)
> 12% (1.79%) > 3% (1.22%). ABS: 15% (19.50%) > 6% (5.25%) > 3% (2.90%) > 12% (2.12%) > 9%
(2.11%). The result of the flexural test showed HDPE composite 15% (24.87N/mm 2 ) > 9% (18.65N/mm 2 ) > 12%
(10.88N/mm 2 ) > 6% (8.05N/mm 2 ) > 3% (6.84N/mm 2 ). GPS: 6% (32.75N/mm 2 ) > 9% (27.59N/mm 2 ) > 15%
(26.11N/mm 2 ) > 3% (20.83N/mm 2 ) > 12% (14.93N/mm 2 ). PP: 9% (13.74N/mm 2 ) > 12% (13.37N/mm 2 ) > 3%
(13.35N/mm 2 ) > 6% (11.30N/mm 2 ) > 15% (8.32N/mm 2 ). ABS: 15% (18.64N/mm 2 ) > 9% (14.12N/mm 2 ) > 6%
(10.52N/mm 2 ) > 12% (8.17N/mm 2 ) > 3% (6.65N/mm 2 ). The control for water absorption was: HDPE; 0.00%,
GPS; 0.12%, PP; 0.13% and ABS; 0.11%. The control for flexural strength was: HDPE; 14.92N/mm 2 , GPS;
17.41N/mm 2 , PP; 24.2741N/mm 2 , ABS; 6.96N/mm 2 . The results of water absorption test showed higher amount
of water absorbed than the control under specified conditions. This was expected since natural particles fillers
are hydrophilic in nature, it tends to absorb and retain water. However, treatment with NaoH should increase in
quantity to reduce water uptake of the hydrophilic nature in palm kernel shell, by contracting the particle filler
cellulose walls. The flexural strength was found to be slightly higher compared to the control.
Keywords: Composites, polymer matrices, palm kernel, water absorption, flexural strength