Influence of some selected natural and mineral binders on the bending and water absorption properties of recycled wastepaper-based composites for building application

This study revealed the influence of different natural and mineral binders on the bending and water absorption properties of developed wastepaper-based composites. The prepared binders; cassava starch, natural rubber latex and Ordinary Portland Cement were mixed in predetermined proportions with white and brown paper slurries, respectively to form homogenous pastes that were used for the production of the composite samples. The developed composites were allowed to cure at room temperature in the laboratory for 28 days after which bending and water absorption tests were carried out on the samples. It was deduced from the work that both white and brown paper pulp-based composites possess improved properties over the control sample. However, white paper pulp/cement with 60–40 wt.% proportion gave the best performance in bending modulus, bending strength at peak and yield as well as resistance to water absorption. Likewise, white paper pulp/natural rubber with 60–40 wt.% gave the best result in deflection at peak. Hence, white paper pulp and 60–40 wt.% proportion were found to be the superlative criteria for the development of paper pulp-based composites with optimum bending and resistance to water absorption properties.