Abstract:
To present the cement board reinforced with betel nut leaf sheet and coconut fibers from agricultural wastes. This research consists of two main parts. Part I the effects of length of the betel nut leaf sheet and coconut fibers on the flexural strength of cement board are studied. Part II the amount of gelatin and recycle plastic on physical, mechanical and thermal properties of cement boards reinforced betel nut leaf sheet and coconut fibers is studied. The addition of these fibers increases flexural strength and improves toughness of cement board. The optimum fiber length is long fibers, which align as freeform. The effects of gelatin and recycle plastic improve bonding between fibers and cement paste. The flexural strength of cement board enhances with the increase of gelatin. Cement board reinforced with coconut fibers and 10% gelatin gives the maximum flexural strength, 7.81 MPa. The flexural strength of cement reinforced with betel nut leaf sheet and coconut fibers mixed with recycle plastic increases after dry heat at 250℃ for 2 hours, it is found from this study that the most flexural strength of cement board reinforced with coconut fiber and 5% recycle plastic is 12.45 MPa. Moreover, the addition of gelatin and recycle plastic reduces the thermal conductivity of cement boards, the cement board reinforced with betel nut leaf sheet and 10% gelatin has thermal conductivity of 0.2837 W/mK that lower than commercial cement board by about 50%. The cement board reinforced with betel nut leaf sheet and coconut fibers mixed with gelatin and recycle plastic can be nailed without cracking. Finally, the addition of gelatin and recycle plastic in cement boards reinforced natural fibers can substitute for wood and has a high potential for an application as energy saving material and environment-friendly material in buildings.