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Adefisan Oo. 2011. Suitability of Eremospatha macrocarpa canes for the production of cement-bonded composites. The suitability of untreated Eremospatha macrocarpa canes for cement-bonded composites (CBCs) and the effect of cold water pretreatment on the compatibility of the species with cement were investigated using the hydration test approach. Eremospatha macrocarpa particles were mixed with cement and water, and placed in insulated thermos flasks. Temperature rise was monitored for 24 hours. Suitability of the species for CBC production was assessed based on setting time (t^sub max^), maximum hydration temperature (T^sub max^) and time ratio (t^sub R^). The t^sub max^, T^sub max^ and t^sub R^ of the cement composites ranged from 7.2-8.5 hours, 55.0-57.1 °C and 1.2-1.4 respectively. Pretreatment of particles with cold water reduced the t^sub max^, T^sub max^ and t^sub R^ of the cement composites by 15.3, 3.7 and 14.3% respectively. Cold water pretreatment significantly improved the compatibility of untreated particles of E. macrocarpa with cement.
Keywords: Rattan canes, hydration, pretreatment, compatibility indices
Adefisan Oo. 2011. Kesesuaian rotan Eremospatha macrocarpa dalam penghasilan komposit berikatan simen. Kesesuaian rotan Eremospatha macrocarpa yang tidak dirawat dalam penghasilan komposit berikatan simen (CBC) dan kesan rawatan air sejuk terhadap keserasian spesies ini dengan simen dikaji menggunakan pendekatan ujian penghidratan. Partikel E. macrocarpa dicampur dengan simen dan air serta dimasukkan ke dalam kelalang termo yang ditebat. Kenaikan suhu diawasi selama 24 jam. Kesesuaian spesies dalam penghasilan CBC dinilai berdasarkan tempoh pensetan (t^sub max^), suhu penghidratan maksimum (T^sub max^) dan nisbah masa (t^sub R^). Nilai-nilai t^sub max^, T^sub max^ dan t^sub R^ bagi komposit simen masing-masing berjulat dari 7.2 jam-8.5 jam, 55.0 oC-57.1 oC dan 1.2-1.4. Rawatan dengan air sejuk mengurangkan t^sub max^, T^sub max^ dan t^sub R^ komposit simen masing-masing sebanyak 15.3%, 3.7% and 14.3%. Rawatan air sejuk menjadikan partikel E. macrocarpa yang tidak dirawat sesuai diguna bersama-sama simen.
Introduction
Cement-bonded composites (CBCs) are low cost construction materials made from a mixture of cement, water and wood/lignocellulosic materials. They are used primarily for ceiling, panelling, sheathing and flooring in modular housing units, and as sound barriers. They have good properties such as insect, fungi and fire resistance, ease of manufacture, environment-friendly, durability and stability (Badejo 1989, Ramirez-Coretti et al. 1998, Mrema 2006). However, wood, the reinforcing agent in CBCs, is becoming...