DOI: 10.5061/dryad.xksn02vr4
title: Synergistic effects of micro and macro-sized palm kernel shell fillers on the tensile properties of HDPE composites

description: In this study, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites reinforced with
 palm kernel shell (PKS) fillers of mixed particle sizes were prepared
 using melt-extrusion compounding. A 5-ton hydraulic hot press machine was
 employed to fabricate samples for tensile testing, with a focus on
 understanding the influence of varying filler sizes on the mechanical
 properties of the HDPE/PKS composite. The results demonstrated that the
 incorporation of larger PKS particles (PKSL) had a detrimental effect on
 the tensile properties, with increasing PKSL content leading to
 significant reductions in tensile properties. For example, at 7.5 wt%
 PKSL, the elastic modulus (E) decreased by approximately 18%, yield
 strength by 37%, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) by 24%, stress at failure
 by 29%, and total elongation by 62%. Similar trends were observed for
 composites containing 15 wt% and 22.5 wt% PKSL. Differential Scanning
 Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) were employed to
 assess the melting temperature ranges and thermal stability of the
 composites, respectively. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) provided
 insights into the failure mechanisms, revealing weak filler-matrix
 interfacial bonding with larger particles, resulting in debonding and
 ultimately compromising the tensile properties of the composite.
description: The dataset for both 250-micron and 1mm particle sizes of palm
 kernel shells (PKS) was collected through micrographic analysis. An ImageJ
 software was used to measure the particle lengths from micrographs of the
 PKS. The data collected through ImageJ was exported as CSV files for both
 particle sizes. the data was then imported into Excel, where  random
 numbers were generated based on the mean and standard deviation of the
 measured data.  For the FTIR analysis, the data was
 obtained using an ATR-FTIR machine in the lab. The machine provided
 transmittance and wavenumber values for the PKS, which were then used to
 analyze the chemical composition of the material.
description: # Dataset: Synergistic Effects of Micro and Macro-Sized Palm Kernel Shell
 Fillers on the Tensile Properties of HDPE Composites **DOI:**
 10.5061/dryad.xksn02vr4 Corresponding Publication: Royal Society Open
 Sciences, 2025, Synergistic Effects of Micro and Macro-Sized Palm Kernel
 Shell Fillers on the Tensile Properties of HDPE Composites. ## Description
 This dataset contains experimental characterization data for Palm Kernel
 Shell (PKS) fillers used in HDPE composite research. It includes: 1\.
 Particle size distributions of 1mm and 250μm PKS fillers quantified
 through optical microscopy and ImageJ analysis 2\. Chemical composition
 analysis of PKS fillers via FTIR spectroscopy ## File Inventory ###
 Primary Archive Manuscript_Data_(3).zip - Contains all raw and processed
 data files: ### Contents of Manuscript_Data_(3).zip 1\.
 1mm_PKS_particle_size.csv * Optical microscopy particle analysis for 1mm
 PKS fillers *  Rows 1-120: Experimental measurements( Area, mean, min,
 max, Angle, length) *  Rows 121-124: Summary statistics * Rows 125+:
 Normal distribution(Random numbers Column only) 2\.
 250μm_PKS_particle_size.xlsx Particle analysis for 250μm PKS fillers
 Worksheets: * Analysis: Raw ImageJ measurements * UMfiji250: Processed
 data with normal distribution simulations 3\. FTIR_characterization.csv *
 Chemical composition analysis of PKS fillers * PerkinElmer ATR-FTIR
 results ## Data Dictionary ### 1mm_PKS_particle_size.csv | Column Header |
 Unit | Description | | :------------ | :-------------- |
 :----------------------------------- | | Area | μm² | Particle
 cross-sectional area | | Mean | Pixel Intensity | Average pixel value
 (0-255 scale) | | Min | Pixel Intensity | Maximum pixel value in
 measurement | | Max | Pixel Intensity | Maximum pixel value in measurement
 | | Angle | Degrees (°) | Particle orientation angle | | Length |
 micrometer | Primary length measurement | | Length | mm | Length converted
 to millimeters | | Random num | mm | Normal distribution generated values
 | | Random | mm | Normal distribution generated values | ###
 250μm_PKS_particle_size.xlsx (UMfiji250 sheet) | Column Header |  Unit |
  Description | | :------------- | :-------------- |
 :----------------------------------- | | Area | μm² | Particle
 cross-sectional area | | Mean | Pixel Intensity | Average pixel value
 (0-255 scale) | | Min | Pixel Intensity | Maximum pixel value in
 measurement | | Max | Pixel Intensity | Maximum pixel value in measurement
 | | Angle | Degrees (°) | Particle orientation angle | | Length | microns
 | Primary length measurement | | Random Numbers | microns | Normal
 distribution generated values | ### FTIR_characterization.csv | Column
 Header | Unit | Description | | :------------ | :--- |
 :-------------------------------- | | wavenumber | cm⁻¹ | Spectral
 position | | Transmittance | % | Light transmission through sample | ##
 Special Notes ### Random Number Columns Values beyond row 124 (1mm PKS)
 and row 151 (250μm PKS) are computationally generated Generated using
 excel with experimental mean and SD: * 1mm PKS: mean=0.900659mm,
 SD=0.287896mm * 250μm PKS: mean=249.5867μm, SD=87.64304μm