INFLUENCES OF PARTICLE SIZE AND CEMENT CONTENT ON PROPERTIES OF CEMENT-BONDED COMPOSITES FROM EUCALYPTUS VENEER WASTE

摘要

This study investigated the effects of particle size and wood-cement ratio on strength and sorption properties of cement-bonded composites from Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. veneer waste. Composites were manufactured at a target density of 1000 kg/m~3 using sieved, hammer-milled eucalyptus particles at wood/cement ratios by weight of 10:90, 20:80 and 30:70 respectively. The loose bulk density of the eucalyptus particles ranged between 118 and 137 kg/m~3 at a moisture content of about 9.0 %, while water absorption at 24 hours ranged between 286.0% and 433.0%. Composites produced with particles retained on 0.045 mm sieve at 10% wood content exhibited superior strength properties and dimensional stability. The density of composites produced at 30% wood content was below 1000 kg/m~3, suggesting an upper limit of 20% for E. tereticornis Sm. particle addition in cement for composite production. The water absorption behavior of the composites indicates their unsuitability for outdoor applications.