TECHNOLOGY FOR MANUFACTURING NATURAL RUBBER LATEX BONOED COMPOSITES FROM LIGNOCELLULOSIC BASED ECO· MATERIALS AND AGRICULTURAL WASTE

Abstract

In view of timber shortage and the need to conserve forest resources, a research is beingcarried out to utilize lignocellulosic materials as wood chips, saw dust, bamboo fiber andagricultural waste products as rise husk in making a low cost construction material as anarchitectural composite. Locally available natural rubber latex is used as the binder. Theconsideration being given to ecological factors to maintain and review the forestresources.

The results indicated that the mechanical properties of composites were improved withcoir fibre, pine needles and bamboo strips. Solid products having high strength wereprepared by hot-pressing the fibre/compounded latex mixture in a mould at 160°C and at100Mpa for 10 minutes. The boards can be manufactured in various densities andthickness to suit a wide range of applications.

This type of composite boards can be used as wall paneling, doors, windows, furniture,tabletops, ceiling, partitions, etc. They have very good mechanical and physicalcharacteristics as strength properties, screw and nail holding capacity, dimensionalstability. Specially Rise husk composite board have distinctly advantages properties astermite and rodent resistance, decay resistance, fire, water and chemical resistance, whencompared to wood particle boards and other panel materials and it is an environmentalfriendly product.