Lignocellulosic Materials for Fiber Cement Production

Among the products used in the construction industry, cement composites with lignocellulosic reinforcement have been highlighted in the research. These materials have advantageous characteristics, such as being lighter and more economical. This work aimed at evaluating the effect of different lignocellulosic materials use on the physical, mechanical, and durability properties of fiber cement. The composites were produced in laboratory scale by extrusion. The formulation consisted of 5% lignocellulosic material, 30% agricultural limestone, 1% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, and 1% polyether carboxylic additive and the remainder of the material was Portland cement (CPV-ARI) to complete the formulation. The samples were cured for 2 days in a saturated environment and for 5 days in thermal curing. Fiber cement properties such as bulk density, water absorption, apparent porosity, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and tenacity after curing and after 200 and 400 aging cycles were evaluated. Eucalyptus, coffee husk, banana pseudostem and coconut shell particles could be used for fiber cement production since they met the marketing standards after the aging process.