Physical Properties Evaluation of Calcium Silicate Cement Board Based on Indonesia Local Kaolin

Abstract

In recent year, cement board including calcium silicate cement board has attracted significant attention from researchers and industries as a building component for more affordable housing. In general, the raw materials for calcium silicate cement board consist of silica sand, cement, pulp (cellulose), and clay. However, some raw materials have been imported such as pulp and clay. Kaolin Belitung is considered the most promising substitute for imported clay. This research is aim at evaluating the physical properties from calcium silicate cement board production based on Kaolin Belitung. Both of Kaolin Belitung and imported clay cement boards were tested for their physical (dimension, density, water absorption, waterproof, porosity, and weather resistance) and mechanical (bending strength) properties. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis was performed to determine the surface morphology of the cement boards. The results revealed that the calcium silicate cement board made from Kaolin Belitung has comparable compressive strength (~ 130,16 kg/cm2), water absorption (~ 13,1 %), and porosity (~34,7%). It also gave good results at dimension , waterproof and weather resistance characterization. These properties suggest that Kaolin Belitung may be used as imported clay substitution in the production of calcium silicate cement board.