Wood–cement boards with addition of coconut husk

ABSTRACT

The present work evaluates the production of wood–cement particleboards (WCBs) with addition of coconut-husk fibers. Trees of a Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis hybrid were used as wood source. Boards were produced with addition of five coconut-fiber levels (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%) to replace the original wood, in a completely randomized design. From each board, specimens were taken to perform physical–mechanical tests (density, water absorption, thickness swelling, static bending, compression strength, and internal bond strength). The chemical characterization of the coconut fiber – in particular the total amount of extractives – in cold and hot water and an organic solvent, along with determination of lignin, holocellulose and ash amounts. The results showed that the addition of coconut fibers significantly affected the physical–mechanical properties of the boards. For the physical properties, the addition of coconut fibers improved the dimensional stability with the respective decrease in water absorption and thickness swelling. For mechanical properties, a decrease in the MOR and MOE was observed as the percentage of coconut fibers increased, most likely due to a poor interaction between the particles and the cementitious matrix. The resulting WCBs were suitable for nonstructural and indoor uses.

KEYWORDS:

• Composites
• agro-industrial residue
• recycling
• sustainable construction

Acknowledgements

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001. We are grateful to the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) and Federal University of Semiarid (UFERSA) for providing financial support, laboratories and facilities, and to Brazilian Scientific Development Council (CNPq) by researcher scholarship.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001. We are grateful to the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) and Federal University of Semiarid (UFERSA) for providing financial support, laboratories and facilities, and to Brazilian Scientific Development Council (CNPq) by researcher scholarship.