PROPERTIES OF BOARDS MADE FROM RICE HUSK AND PORTLAND CEMENT AS BINDERS AND REINFORCED WITH SISAL FIBRES

Abstract

A research study demonstrated that rice husks can be used to manufacture boards whichcan be used in low cost housing if bound by Portland limestone cement (CEM II/A-L/32.5R) and reinforced with sisal fibers to cater for their brittle behavior and that suchboards can provide a substitute for wood panels. Boards made of rice husks and cement inthe ratios of 1/3.3, 1/ 3.6 and 1/4 and with sisal fiber reinforcement contents of 0%, 0.4%,0.5% and 0.8% were prepared and tested for their physical and mechanical properties. Theresults were compared with standard requirements for boards made with wood based fiberand particle panel materials according to DIN 1101 and ISO 2696 and BS EN 634-2.Results indicate that water absorption and thickness swelling decreased with an increase infiber content and that there is an optimum rice husk/ cement ratio and fiber content thatgives maximum flexural strength and that such boards could be used in low cost housingconstruction. The use of such boards could be seen as partially solving the problem ofglobal warming and the problem of pollution associated with the disposal of rice husks indeveloping countries.