Enhanced mechanical performance of cement board composite reinforced with coconut coir fiber and tire rubber waste

Abstract

This work aimed to study the use of tire rubber waste (TW) and coconut coir fiber (CF) as the recycled material and partial replacement of cement and asbestos to produce cement board composite and obtain optimal replacement level. The amounts of TW and CF were the variables in this experimental study. Various mixtures were produced by partial replacement of cement with TW at different percentages (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10%) and with CF at different percentages (1, 2 and 4%) using a fiber length of 3 cm. The mechanical and physical properties of the cement boards were evaluated. Both the flexural and impact strengths of the cement boards increased with an increase in the content of TW and CF. The mechanical properties of the cement composites based on the combination of TW and CF were significantly better due to the synergy of TW and CF additions. Moreover, the results also showed that the density decreased with increasing in TW and CF. Therefore, TW and CF can be utilized as a good replacement of cement for cheap, lightweight and eco-friendly reinforced cement boards.