Physical properties of cement panels reinforced with lignocellulosic materials

This paper aims to compare the physical properties of panels made of lignocellulosic raw materials and cement. Density (D), water absorption (WA), and thickness swelling (TS) after 2 and 24 h of immersion in water were analyzed. These lignocellulosic materials were used to produce panels: sugarcane bagasse, eucalyptus, banana pseudostem, coconut shell, and coffee husk. Three panels of each material were produced and each sample was arranged with the following dimensions: 150 × 150 × 15 mm. Each sample was submerged in water for 2 and 24 h, and the WA and TS capacity was measured in both conditions. Coconut and banana pseudostem panels presented both the lowest D values and the highest values of WA after 2 h and 24 h of immersion. The coffee panel showed the maximum D value. About TS the eucalyptus panels presented the highest value. Sugarcane panels showed the lowest TS at 2 h according to the recommended standards related to TS for 2 h. TS resistance tends to decrease with the increase in D, so panels produced with smaller and thicker particles tend to be slenderer and to present higher resistance to perpendicular traction.