Physico–mechanical Properties of Cement-bonded Particleboards Made from Date Palm Fibres (Phoenix dactylifera) and Obeche Sawdust (Triplochyton schleroxylon)

The Despite the array of old-grown date palm with reduced fruit yields in the northern part of Nigeria, the utilization of its biomass has not been fully explored by the wood-based industries in the country. This study was designed to assess the possibilities of using Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) fibres and wood residues of Triplochyton schleroxylon for the production of cement-bonded particles. The Date palm straws were pounded in to fibres and mixed with Obeche sawdust in ratio 1:1 by weight. The mixture was dry-mixed thoroughly with cement at 1:2.0, 1:2.5, 1:3.0 and 1:3.5. To enhance the setting of the boards, Calcium chloride (CaCl2) was used as catalyst. The chemical catalyst was dissolved in known volume of water at 3% to the weight of cement, sprinkled on wood-cement composite and mixed into uniform matrix-free-lump for making the boards. The boards produced was formed on hydraulic jack press at a pressure of 1.2 KN/m2 for 24 h. The boards were subjected to physical and mechanical evaluation. The results showed that the stability of the boards increased with increase in the quantity of the cement used. Beyond 1:3.0 wood-cement ratio, the difference was not significant. But, significant in terms of their MOR, MOE and compressive strength. Based on the results obtained from this study, it is evident that cement-bonded particle boards can be produced from the mixture of date palm fibre and wood residues of Triplochyto scleroxylon to meet ISO 8335 particularly at 1:3.0 and 1:3.5 wood-cement mixing ratio.