Contribution to the Characterization of Palm Kernel Shell from Littoral, Cameroon

Abstract

The experimental study carried out in this work contributes to the physico-mechanical characterization of the palm kernel shells (PKS) Elaeis guineensis of the DURA and TENERA varieties. The knowledge of these properties gives an idea of their behaviour in the realization of composites and others. The absolute density was determined by the method of pycnometer, the porosity and compactness of PKS too; respectively 1428.81 kg/m3 for Dura, 1395.81 kg/m3 for Tenera; 0.041 for Dura, 0.158 for Tenera; 0.958 for Dura, 0.841 for Tenera. The impact energy of PKS by the pendulum sheep method has an average value of 2.066 J/cm2 and 1.894 J/cm2 for Dura and Tenera respectively at a temperature of 26˚C. The longitudinal Young’s modulus of 19 GPa and 17.9 GPa for Dura and Tenera, respectively, was determined by applying the Castigliano theorem through a three-point bending test device.