Divina Gracia A. Daquiado, Jason B. Cabiana, Liamm Deneb Zechariah C. Miroy (February 2000)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This study determined the feasibility of cement-bonded board (CBB) from agricultural wastes, such as rice stalks, coconut husks, and bagasse. These agrowastes were prepared in three different mixtures, i.e., 50%-25%-25%, 25%-50%-25%, and 25%-25%-50% rice stalks, coconut husks, and bagasse. These CBB mixtures were further mixed with cement-sand mixture in a 50:50 ratio. The products were tested on physical appearance, water absorption, fire resistance, and compression strength.
Results showed that cement-bonded board (CBB) from agrowastes in different mixtures was feasible. The different tests conducted showed that the products were of high quality. In terms of physical appearance, the products were highly to moderately smooth and also of highly to moderately superior finish. The products absorbed water of mean amounts ranging from 20.08% to 30.62% of their actual weights, and resisted water infiltration of mean amounts ranging from 69.38% to 79.92% of their actual weights. The products did not show signs of burning, charring or discoloration due to fire exposure. Lastly, the products sustained mean compression loads in one instance from 31.567 kN to 35.200 kN, and in another instance, from 18.000 kN to 22.000 kN.
There were no significant differences in the finish and fire resistance among the CBB products. There were, however, significant differences in the smoothness, water absorption, and compression strength among the CBB products.
CBB products from mixture B, which was 25% rice stalks-50% coconut husks-25% bagasse, proved to be the most superior among the products, while CBB products from mixture A, which was 50% rice stalks-25% coconut husks-25% bagasse, proved to be the most inferior. CBB products from mixture C, which was 25% rice stalks-25% coconut husks-50% bagasse, was intermediate in quality between CBB products from mixtures A and B.