Gypsum Boards Reinforced with Cotton Dust Fiber

Abstract

This research was aimed to study the production of gypsum boards mixed with cotton dust fiber for construction purposes. The cotton dust fiber 5, 10, 15, and 20% by weight was mixed with gypsum plaster and cast in the size 300 × 400 × 9 cubic millimeters. The water content was added 77 % by weight of the mixture. The ultimate strength, modulus of rupture, and weight of the gypsum board were investigated. The results showed that the ultimate strength and modulus of rupture of the gypsum boards without cotton dust fiber were 168.78 Newton and 3.66 Mega Pascal, respectively, which met the criteria for standard gypsum board under TIS 219-2524. However, the ultimate strength and modulus of rupture of the gypsum board mixed with cotton dust fiber were lower than the standard gypsum board. The weight of the gypsum board was decreased when the cotton dust fiber content was increased. It was found that the appropriate ratio of gypsum plaster and cotton dust was 90:10 incorporated with 6 wt. % PVA. The ultimate strength and modulus of rupture of the appropriate gypsum board were 135.31 N and 3.13 MPa, which was the criteria standard gypsum board products (TIS. 219-2524). The weight of the appropriate gypsum board was lighter than the gypsum board without cotton dust fiber addition about 289.75 grams (21 percent). Therefore the gypsum board mixed with cotton dust fiber could be developed for the construction, ceiling, and wall.