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

Yakum Reneta Nafu; Nemlen Silas Yuyoh; Tsi Evaristus Angwafo; Ndimumeh Flevis Apoawenjuo

doi:doi:10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13

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| Peer-Reviewed

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

Yakum Reneta Nafu^*

, Nemlen Silas Yuyoh

, Tsi Evaristus Angwafo

, Ndimumeh Flevis Apoawenjuo

Published in Composite Materials (Volume 9, Issue 1)

Received: 1 May 2025 Accepted: 12 May 2025 Published: 26 June 2025

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Abstract

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.

Published in	Composite Materials (Volume 9, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13
Page(s)	28-45
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Compressive Strength, Flexural Strength, Epoxy Resin, Palm Kernel Shell/Wood Dust

References

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Nafu, Y. R., Yuyoh, N. S., Angwafo, T. E., Apoawenjuo, N. F. (2025). Influence of Palm Kernel Shell/Wood Dust on Mechanical Properties with Epoxy Resin Composites. Composite Materials, 9(1), 28-45. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13

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Nafu, Y. R.; Yuyoh, N. S.; Angwafo, T. E.; Apoawenjuo, N. F. Influence of Palm Kernel Shell/Wood Dust on Mechanical Properties with Epoxy Resin Composites. Compos. Mater. 2025, 9(1), 28-45. doi: 10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13

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AMA Style

Nafu YR, Yuyoh NS, Angwafo TE, Apoawenjuo NF. Influence of Palm Kernel Shell/Wood Dust on Mechanical Properties with Epoxy Resin Composites. Compos Mater. 2025;9(1):28-45. doi: 10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13

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@article{10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13,
  author = {Yakum Reneta Nafu and Nemlen Silas Yuyoh and Tsi Evaristus Angwafo and Ndimumeh Flevis Apoawenjuo},
  title = {Influence of Palm Kernel Shell/Wood Dust on Mechanical Properties with Epoxy Resin Composites},
  journal = {Composite Materials},
  volume = {9},
  number = {1},
  pages = {28-45},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cm.20250901.13},
  abstract = {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.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Influence of Palm Kernel Shell/Wood Dust on Mechanical Properties with Epoxy Resin Composites
AU  - Yakum Reneta Nafu
AU  - Nemlen Silas Yuyoh
AU  - Tsi Evaristus Angwafo
AU  - Ndimumeh Flevis Apoawenjuo
Y1  - 2025/06/26
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13
T2  - Composite Materials
JF  - Composite Materials
JO  - Composite Materials
SP  - 28
EP  - 45
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7103
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13
AB  - 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.
VL  - 9
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Yakum Reneta Nafu

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Higher Technical Teacher Training College Bambili, The University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon; Laboratory of Mechanics and Adapted Materials (LAMMA), University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon; Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, National Higher Polytechnic Institute, The University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon

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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6528-2884
Nemlen Silas Yuyoh

Department of Forestry and Wildlife Technology, College of Technology, The University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon

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http://orcid.org/0009-0002-2110-9390
Tsi Evaristus Angwafo

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Higher Technical Teacher Training College Bambili, The University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon; Department of Forestry and Wildlife Technology, College of Technology, The University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon

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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1146-6805
Ndimumeh Flevis Apoawenjuo

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Higher Technical Teacher Training College Bambili, The University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon; Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, National Higher Polytechnic Institute, The University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon

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http://orcid.org/0009-0003-3592-3876

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Nafu, Y. R., Yuyoh, N. S., Angwafo, T. E., Apoawenjuo, N. F. (2025). Influence of Palm Kernel Shell/Wood Dust on Mechanical Properties with Epoxy Resin Composites. Composite Materials, 9(1), 28-45. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13

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ACS Style

Nafu, Y. R.; Yuyoh, N. S.; Angwafo, T. E.; Apoawenjuo, N. F. Influence of Palm Kernel Shell/Wood Dust on Mechanical Properties with Epoxy Resin Composites. Compos. Mater. 2025, 9(1), 28-45. doi: 10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13

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AMA Style

Nafu YR, Yuyoh NS, Angwafo TE, Apoawenjuo NF. Influence of Palm Kernel Shell/Wood Dust on Mechanical Properties with Epoxy Resin Composites. Compos Mater. 2025;9(1):28-45. doi: 10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13

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@article{10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13,
  author = {Yakum Reneta Nafu and Nemlen Silas Yuyoh and Tsi Evaristus Angwafo and Ndimumeh Flevis Apoawenjuo},
  title = {Influence of Palm Kernel Shell/Wood Dust on Mechanical Properties with Epoxy Resin Composites},
  journal = {Composite Materials},
  volume = {9},
  number = {1},
  pages = {28-45},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cm.20250901.13},
  abstract = {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.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Influence of Palm Kernel Shell/Wood Dust on Mechanical Properties with Epoxy Resin Composites
AU  - Yakum Reneta Nafu
AU  - Nemlen Silas Yuyoh
AU  - Tsi Evaristus Angwafo
AU  - Ndimumeh Flevis Apoawenjuo
Y1  - 2025/06/26
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13
T2  - Composite Materials
JF  - Composite Materials
JO  - Composite Materials
SP  - 28
EP  - 45
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7103
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cm.20250901.13
AB  - 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.
VL  - 9
IS  - 1
ER  -

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