Effect of Calcereous Cow Horn and Storage on the Physicochemical Properties of Cement-Bonded Particleboards from Groundnut Hulls

Abstract EN

Fine particles of the groundnut hull and cow horn samples were prepared and subjected to hydration experiments with Portland cement with the moisture content maintained around 12%.

All the compatibility factor values were very well above 60% making the different combinations appropriate for particleboard production.

Metal analyses suggested high concentrations of Ca in both samples with values of 62.68±0.47 wt% and 42.44±1.86 wt% for the cow horn and groundnut hull samples, respectively.

Potassium was also present in high concentrations but was lower than that of calcium.

The cow horn was found to be a good substitute for the synthetic CaCl2 additives.

Combinations of FeCl3 with the cow horn gave better compatibility (CA) between the groundnut hull particles and the Portland cement due to chelation, with the hot-water-treated samples being the best.

Bond formation was established through the hydroxyl (–OH), carbonyl (C=O), esters or ethers (C–O), and amide (N–H) functional groups on the groundnut hall samples.

Storage over a period of time also gave a better compatibility of the groundnut hull sample with cement even in the absence of hot-water pretreatments and chemical additives.