Characterization of Fiber-Cement Composites Reinforced with Alternate Cellulosic Fibers

Abstract

The eucalyptus and araucaria fibers were used as alternatives to virgin cellulose common in fiber-cement production. Three different types of these virgin-cellulose replacements were utilized as main raw materials while silica sand was the aggregate. Chemical and physical analyses were performed on the raw materials. In the experiments, the effect of various fiber types on the mechanical strength, water absorption and the density of fiber-cement mixture was studied for 8 wt % additions of these three fiber types. The excess water in homogeneous mixtures of the raw materials was first removed and then samples were pressed and baked in the autoclave. Physical and mechanical tests on these samples indicated that the fiber-cements produced with eucalyptus and araucaria cellulose were mechanically superior than those produced with virgin cellulose.