Kenaf Fibre-RHA Biocomposite: A ‘Green’ Substitute to Asbestos in Sustainable Eco-Construction

Abstract

With the damaging impact of asbestos to health and the environment, search for substitutes with equal or better properties have led to trials involving select bio materials. This work presents the result of combinatory use of bast and core fibers from local cultivar of Kenaf plant as reinforcement and Rice Husk Ash (RHA) as asbestos substitute in the production of insulation material. The fibers were used at varied blend ratios with rice husk ash as partial substitute Portland cement binder material. The strength of material test results showed the products to have the same (tensile strength greater than 262.31 MPa, Young’s modulus of not less than 22.94 and failure strain (%) of 2.62 and above) for samples of same dimensions as conventional sheets. Friedman statistical analysis showed that an increase or addition of the Kenaf core enhances the compact nature and consequent strength of the material. This substitution with Kenaf fiber and RHA embraces four out of the five key areas of sustainable human and environmental health target: sustainable site, energy efficiency, material selection and indoor environmental quality. Kenaf plant serves as a good carbon sink source with consequent environmental detoxification.