Characterisation and Comparative Insulating Efficiencies of Wood Sawdust and Rice Husk in Glass Shavings Reinforced Termite Clay-Based Composite

Abstract

The characterisation and insulating efficiencies of sawdust and rice husk in glass shavings reinforced termite clay-based (GSRTC) composite has been compared. Termite clay was unearthed from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) campus in Ondo State. It was processed to obtain 150 μm undersize. Glass shavings were processed to obtain 106 μm undersize. The glass shavings were then mixed with the termite clay in a constant weight proportion of 10%. Sawdust and rice husk were processed to obtain 150 μm undersize. The prepared blended GSRTC powder was mixed with the sawdust, and the rice husk in 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 wt.%. The resulting mixtures were compacted into cylindrical-shaped samples. The samples were dried and fired in a furnace at 1000°C for 2 hours. The chemical composition of GSRTC composite constituents was studied prior to the production of the composite. The control sample with only 10 wt.% of glass shaving possessed the highest: compressive strength; linear and volumetric shrinkage; bulk density; and thermal conductivity, while the sample with 10 wt.% of sawdust in GSRTC possessed the lowest: compressive strength (1.62 MPa); linear and volume shrinkage; bulk density (0.68 g/cm3); thermal conductivity (0.23 W/m-K).. Conclusively, the additive proportion and type affect composites' physical properties. An increase in additive proportion is accompanied by an increase in porosity, a reduction in porosity and bulk density. The compressive strength and thermal conductivity decreased with increasing additive content. GSRTC composites with sawdust additive possessed better insulating performance. However, GSRTC composite with rice husk additive displayed higher compressive strength.