Sorption characteristics of cement composite reinforced with some locally available lignocellulosic materials in Nigeria

This study investigates the sorption properties of wood cement composites produced from locally available lignocellulosic materials, specifically bagasse, bamboo, and coir. The objective was to determine how varying the mass of fiber (from 1 to 6% of the mass of cement) impacts the water absorption and thickness swelling of these composites. The methodology involved testing the sorption characteristics by measuring water absorption rates and thickness swelling after 24 hours of water immersion at room temperature. Results indicated a significant correlation between the mass fraction of fibers and the compositional sorption properties. The findings revealed that the water absorption rate increased with higher fiber content, while thickness swelling remained below 1.7% across all composites. Notably, composites containing less than 3% fiber content demonstrated relatively low water absorption capacities and thickness swelling, suggesting their suitability for outdoor applications where dimensional stability is crucial. The study concludes that while these composites perform well within certain limits, exceeding 3% fiber content may lead to adverse dimensional changes.