A Comparative Study of the Physico-Chemical Properties of Cement-Bonded Particle Boards from Semi-Pulped Bagasse and Newsprints

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to compare the compatibility of semi-digested pulp and fully digested pulp with cement and to further determine how appropriate these two samples are for the production of outdoor particle boards using the hydration test to determine the compatibility through the compatibility factor obtained using the area ratio method. The effects of chemical additives on the compatibilities of the samples with cement and the existence of bond formation were also looked into. Stems of sugar cane were obtained from the Sabo market in Ile-Ife, Osun state, Nigeria while newspaper prints were also gathered from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The samples were converted to mesh, bleached and then converted to pulp. Different tests comprising proximate analysis, phytochemical screening, compatibility test and hydration experiment. The results of physical tests showed that bagasse is light yellow in colour while the newsprint is yellow solid in colour. Phytochemical screening results indicated that saponins, alkaloids, and tannins were present in high concentration. Infrared analysis indicated the notable presence of hydroxyl, ester and carbonyl groups in the samples. Based on the compatibility values, the addition of additives such as CaCl₂ produced higher compatibility values. The study concluded that semi-pulped bagasse and the newsprints are appropriate for the production of the particle boards.