Particulate Composites

The aim of the present study was to develop polyester / palm kernel shell (PKS) particulate composites and to investigate the effect of particle size on the properties of the composites. The palm kernel shell particles were varied thus; 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40wt % at three different particle sizes; 75µm, 150µm and 300µm. Cobalt accelerator and Methyl-ethyl Ketone catalyst were utilized to initiate polymerization reaction and thus speed up the reaction. The effect of palm kernel shell particles and particle size on mechanical and physical properties of polyester was studied. The results showed a better interaction of polyester and palm kernel shell particles at 300µm sieve size with density, water absorption, ultimate tensile strength and impact energy increasing upon increase in percent palm kernel shell particles with only hardness decreasing upon increase in percent palm kernel shell