Development of natural polymer reinforced cement/waste paper pulp composites for structural application ,

摘要

This work investigates the influence of white cow hair as reinforcement in Cement/Waste paper pulp matrix for structural applications. Cow hairs as natural polymer, were sourced from an abattoir, and washed properly in clean water and sun dried for 5 days. Paper pulp was prepared by first soaking waste paper in water for 3 days, after which it was grinded in the paper pulp machine to form paper pulp slurry and then sun dried for 5 days. The cow hair after cutting to 10 mm lengths, were thoroughly mixed with the dried paper pulp to develop composite samples of varied weight content using the open mould technique by adding appropriate quantity of cement as binder. The developed composite samples were allowed to cure in air in the laboratory for 27 days before testing. The results of the mechanical properties examined showed that sample S5 containing (80 wt. % paper pulp, 10 wt.% cement and 10 wt.% cow hair) has the best flexural and compressive properties while sample denoted as S4 has the best water absorption property.