Properties of saw-dust, paper and starch composite ceiling board

Abstract

Many organic waste materials such as sawdust , paper etcetera, pose environmental nuisance. The cost of building materials is high and beyond the reach of many people in developing countries. In this paper, efforts have been made to convert sawdust , waste paper and starch into the production of ceiling boards. This is done with a view to having alternative to the traditional asbestos ceiling boards that are costly and also pose health risks. Laboratory experimental procedures were used to determine the production of the composite. The composite sample boards were subjected to thermal conductivity test. It has an average value of 9.2x10-2 W/mK. The flakeness test of the sample boards gave a mean value of 6.86x10-3. About 8.6 per cent Water Absorption was discovered on the dry samples of the boards. The mean flexural strength of the boards is 0.05 N/mm 2. The composite boards were successfully nailed with firm grips. The boards show good potential as ceiling boards.