Analysis of Fillers for Production of Alternative Building Materials Using Magnesia Cement
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Date
2008-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Fillers, which are available in the country, are essential for the production of
magnesia cement boards. These include pumice and lignocellulostic fillers such
as bagasse, sawdust and coffee husk. While applying these fillers to produce the
boards, their nature and performance should be studied.
Magnesia cement was used as binding materials; varying boards were produced
for different proportion fillers with fixed ratio of magnesium oxide and
magnesium chloride.
For the board produced, density, water absorption, and setting time as well as
mechanical properties such as the compressive strength and the bending strength
determined. In addition, the effects of different fillers on the properties of the
board and production cost were examined.
When the saw dust and coffee husk filler substituted the current used bagasse
filler, the water absorption and setting time of the boards reduced. While the
density, bending strength and compressive strength of the board increased.
The mix ratio of fillers and pumice powder had also influence on the physical
and mechanical property of the boards. The test results showed as the proportion
of the pumice increased, the mechanical strength of the boards increased and the
setting time of the cement paste reduced.
The cost analysis showed that the saw dust board production cost was lower
than coffee husk and bagasse board cost. While the production cost of the coffee
husk board was slightly higher than others.
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In aim of production of filler boards as alternative building materials are, the
cost comparison showed in the possibility of producing relatively low price than
the hollow concrete blocks included finishing work cost.
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Process Engineering