Assessment of the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Treated Kenaf Fibre Cement Composites
Keywords:
Fibre cement boards, , kenaf bast fibres, mechanical properties, physical properties, pretreatmentsAbstract
This study investigated the effect of pretreatment on the properties of kenaf fibre cement boards. Homogenous fibre cement boards were made from kenaf bast fibres, cement and water. The fibres were cut into smaller sizes, mixed with cement and water and formed in rectangular moulds. After demoulding, the boards were cured for 28 days. The boards were manufactured at three pretreatment levels which include hot water, 3% CaCl2, hot water and 3% CaCl2 and a control. The fibre cement boards were tested for Modulus of Rupture (MOR), Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), Internal Bonding (IB), Water Absorption (WA), Thickness Swelling (TS) and Linear Expansion (LE). Also nail ability and withdrawal resistance, termite, fungi and fire resistances were also assessed. The results showed that the mean MOR ranged from 1.31 to 8.25 N/mm2; the mean MOE from 78.0 to 1636.3 N/mm2 for all treated boards. Mean water absorption ranged from 27.52% to 67.64% and the mean thickness swelling from 14.51% to 48.01% for all treated boards. Statistical analysis showed that the effects of the pretreatments were significant on the properties evaluated (p < 0.05). The study concluded that hot water combined with CaCl2 treated boards exhibited the best mechanical and physical properties.
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