Performance characteristics of treated kenaf bast fibre reinforced cement composite

This study investigated the effect of pretreatment on the properties of kenaf fibre cement boards. Homogenous fibre cement boards were made from kenaf bast fibres, cement and water. The fibres were cut into smaller sizes, mixed with cement and water and formed in rectangular moulds. After demoulding, the boards were cured for 28 days. The fibres were treated at three levels which included hot water, calcium chloride (CaCl2), hot water ? CaCl2 and a control (untreated). The fibre cement boards were tested for Modulus of Rupture (MOR), Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), Internal Bond (IB), Water Absorption (WA), Thickness Swelling (TS) and Linear Expansion (LE). The results showed that the mean MOR ranged from 1.31 to 8.25 MPa; the mean MOE from 78.0 to 1636.3 MPa for all treated boards. Mean water absorption ranged from 27.52 to 67.64% and the mean thickness swelling from 14.51 to 48.01% for all treated boards. Statistical analysis showed that the effect of the pretreatment was significant on the properties evaluated (p < 0.05). The study concluded that boards produced from hot water combined with CaCl2 treated fibres exhibited the best mechanical and physical properties.