Microcrystalline cellulose as a reinforcement agent to cement pastes

Purpose - A try to find some useful applications for some products prepared from agricultural waste by mixing them with cement to act as reinforcement agents. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach - Cement was mixed with microcrystalline cellulosic (MCC) fibres prepared from baggase, soaked in mixing water, followed by cubic pastes formation. The mixing was performed using different ratios of MCC; 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 3 per cent. The cement properties were followed at timed intervals, up to 90 days. The initial and final setting times of the pastes were determined. Bulk density, apparent porosity and compressive strength of the harden cement pastes were also identified. The hydration kinetic was followed by identifying free lime ratio and chemically combined water content. The structure of the hard cement pastes was followed by SEM, FTIR, DSC and XRD. Findings - It was noticed that the weight of the prepared cement pastes using MCC was reduced, while the compressive strength was increased. In addition, lower ratios of MCC have shown better results at early ages of hydration and reported higher compressive strength than control. No interaction was reported between the fibres and cement constituents based on the performed analysis. Research limitations/implications - Different types of agricultural wastes can be compared in producing the best type of MCC for the same purpose of this research. Practical implications - This piece of work has suggested a simple way to convert a product prepared from agricultural wastes in a small uniform size to a reinforcement agent to cement. Consuming this type of waste reduces the risks resulting from its burning at some countries such as Egypt. Originality/value - MCC fibres have well-known binding properties and used successfully on wide range in medical applications for tablets production with low costs. These fibres have reduced the pastes weight and increased the compressive strength using low ratios of them. Moreover, there is no indication of a reaction between these fibres and cement constituents.