Design and Production of Ceiling Board Using, Cassava Starch, Rice Husk, Polyethylene, Polyester Resin, and Hardener

Abstract

This research examined how raw materials such as low-density polyethene and cassava starch were applied in the design and production of ceiling boards from rice husk. Proper mixing of the cassava starch and rice husk was done in different ratios of 30:70, 40:60, 50:50, 60:40 and 70:30. The determination of physical properties of the produced ceiling board such as bending concentration, low density and water absorption capacity was also carried out. The results obtained from the research revealed that as the cassava increased, so did the density of the produced ceiling board. Careful observation also revealed that the bending strength of the produced ceiling board reduced. A 40wt% increment of the cassava starch and recycled low density polyethylene was observed and this value increased more with an increment in cassava starch. Bending strength was reduced when cassava starch concentration was greater than 50wt%. An increase in cassava starch caused a corresponding increase in the water absorption capacity of the ceiling board. Due to the availability of large volume of cassava starch the methos used in its disposal has been a big source of danger to health. This research work focuses on the design and production of ceiling boards using cassava starch, rice husk and recycled low-density polyethylene as a performance standard, it is recommended that the thermal conductivity of ceiling boards should be within 0.05-015 W/mk. The result obtained shows that the flexural strength ranged between 0.03N/mm² and 0.1N/mm² modulus of elasticity (MOE) 1250N/mm² and 1308 N/mm², the range of thermal conductivity was from 0.071 kW/mk to 0.082kw/mk the rate of water absorption was estimated to be in the range of 7.5% to 14%. It was observed that as the cassava starch content increased this caused a corresponding decrease in the density of composite materials which was estimated to be in the range of 730kg/m³ to 201kg/m³ in accordance with British standards.