Title:
Optimization of Wastepaper Fiber-Cement Composites
Author(s):
Parviz Soroushian, Zahir Shah, and Jong Pil Won
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
92
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
82-92
Keywords:
fiber reinforced concretes; flexural strength; strength; waste treatment; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/1417
Date:
1/1/1995
Abstract:
The main intent of this research was to determine the technical feasibility of utilizing magazine wastepaper fibers, obtained through dry processing of paper, as reinforcement in thin cement products. Dry-processed magazine papers have high levels of noncellulosic impurities, and the recycling process also breaks and damages the fibers. To produce wastepaper fiber-cement composites, first the influential variables in the slurry-dewatering method of processing the composites were identified in an experimental study based on fractional factorial design. Among the proportioning and processing variables investigated, fiber mass fraction, level of substitution of virgin fibers with recycled ones, and fiber refinement conditions were found to have statistically significant effects on the flexural performance of composites. Subsequently, response surface analysis techniques were used to devise an experimental program that helped determine the optimum combinations of the selected influential variables based on flexural performance and cost. The optimized recycled composites were then technically evaluated versus virgin composites. They were shown to possess acceptable flexural strength, dimensional stability, density, water absorption, and moisture content. Specifics of the size distribution of recycled fibers (with higher fine contents) were used to justify their differences with virgin fibers in cement composites.