The study was undertaken to investigate the properties of cassava starch and gum arabic bonded briquettes from the sawdust of Azadirachta indica. The briquettes were produced using a Jack press at an average pressure of 10.7 kg·cm -2 . The sawdust and binders were mixed at ratios of 100:15, 100:25, 100:35 and 100:45 in weight, respectively. The briquettes produced were subjected to physical and combustion tests. Both the physical and combustion properties of the briquettes vary with binder types and binder levels (p < 0.05). The result shows that briquettes bonded with starch gave better performance based on density of 0.546 g·cm -3 , durability rating of 95.93%, heating value of 33.09MJ·kg -1 , percentage of fixed carbon of 84.70% and low ash and volatile matter of 3.35% and 11.95%, respectively, while briquette bonded with gum arabic has density of 0.425 g·cm -3 , durability rating of 94.85%, heating value of 32.76 MJ·kg -1 , percentage of fixed carbon of 87.30% and low ash and volatile matter of 4.45% and 8.75, respectively. Since the aim of briquetting is to produce briquette that will serve as a good source of fuel and support combustion, the best briquette was produced when the sawdust-starch ratio and sawdust-gum arabic ratio was 100:25 and 100:35, respectively.
Deterioration is the major setback to the utilisation of bamboo products. To enhance bamboo utilisation, an understanding of the level of resistance to degradation is important. In this study, natural resistance of Bambusa vulgaris to attack by termites and powder-post beetle were evaluated. Bamboo aged 2, 3 and 4 years old were subjected to attack by subterranean termites and powder-post beetles for six month in a short span field tests. After exposure to attack by selected degrading insects, the weight loss was determined. There was significant variation in termite resistance among the three age classes, while no variation occurred along the culm length. In contrast to termite resistivity, resistance to powder-post beetles infestation varied significantly along the culm length from base to the top, while resistance among the three age classes were similar. Age 4 exhibited highest resistance to termites and were therefore placed in 'resistant' class, while age 3, basal and middle portion were moderately resistant. The resistance of B. vulgaris from all the age classes and culm portion against powder-post attack was poor. The findings showed that termite resistance depend on culm age while that of powder-post is indifferent to age or the culm portion.
This study investigated the dimensional stability and strength properties of plastic bonded composites produced from wood waste particles and polyethylene using extruder. The composites were produced from wood species such as such as: Triplochiton scleroxylon, Terminalia superba and Gmelina arborea at a mixing proportion of 60:40 (plastic/wood) on a weight by weight basis. Evaluation of properties was carried out in accordance with the American Standard Testing Methods of 570 and 790 to determine the dimensional stability and strength properties of the composites. The results of findings revealed that water absorption and thickness swelling of the wood composites ranged from 10.08% to 15.36% and 4.33% to 5.58% respectively after 24hours and 48hours immersion in water. Tensile strength also ranged between 29.4MPa and 45.6MPa. Composite board made from T. superba wood particles had the lowest significant water absorption (10.08%), thickness swelling (4.33%) and highest significant tensile strength (45.6MPa) compared to composites produced from G. arborea and T. scleroxylon wood particles. It was observed that high density wood species exhibit lower water intake, lower thickness swelling and higher tensile strength, while the contrary is the case for lower density wood species. In conclusion, the three tree species used for the study could be recommended for the production of wood composite like particle board, fibre board, wood cement boards and others.
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