Physical Properties of Wall Clads Produced From Mixture of Saw Dust and Pure Water Sachet

Abstract

(16.5 x 36.5 x 145.5) mm clads were produced from the mixture of sawdust (SD) of three indigenous wood species(Miliciaexelsa, Ceibapetandraand Cola gigantia) and nylon sachet (NS) of “pure water”. From each of the wood specie, clads were produced at three different SD/NS ratios of 40:60, 30:70 and 20:80. The effect of the wood species and mix ratio on the physical properties (water absorption, thickness swelling and linear expansion) of the clads were investigated by immersing them inside water of temperature 20oC for 24 hours. NS was washed, dried, weighed as appropriate and allowed to melt at 190oC in the melting chamber of an existing locally produced Wood Plastic CompositeExtruder (WPCE)of 0.8 kg/h capacity before adding SD which had earlier been dried to a moisture content of 10 % and sieved to size 10mm. The mixture was then fedinto the WPCE kneading chamber for a thorough kneading into slurry form before extruding into a (20x 40x 150) mm mould which was hot pressed at 120°c and 1.12N/mm2 force to a thickness of 16.5 mm, breadth 36.5 mm and length 145.5 mm. Samples were thereafter cut into specific dimension in accordance with British Standard D373. Results show that clads produced from Miliciaexelsaat SD/NS mix ratio 20:80 were relatively low in water absorption, thickness swelling and linear expansion making it suitable for buildings protection in waterlogged areas.