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In this research work, analysis of the effect of polystyrene as a binder on the properties
of sawdust ceiling tile was carried out. The weight fraction of the polystyrene and sawdust were;
38.4% polystyrene, 61.6% sawdust particles; 32.7% polystyrene, 67.3% sawdust particles and
36.4% polystyrene, 63.6% Sawdust particles for sample 1, 2 and 3 respectively and were the
variable factors at experimental design consisting of three composite samples. Metal mould of
dimension (120 x 120 x 120, mm) was fabricated to produce the specimen and specifications were
in accordance to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard. The tensile strength,
compression strength, and water absorption capacity were analysed. The suitability of sawdust
particles as fillers for polystyrene has been tested using three composite samples with results of
12.2%, 35.9% and 42.4% water absorption strength for sample 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The
compressive strength of the three samples tiles were obtained as 396.04MPa, 431.31MPa, and
469.89MPa. The tensile strength of 3.59MPa, 6.27MPa, and 14.57MPa were experimentally obtained
for the composite samples. It is evident from these results that the mechanical properties depend on
the variations of the wood fibres and the polystyrene. Also from this test results, the specimen made
with 110ml polystyrene has the highest modulus of elasticity and lowest water resistance. This is
not unconnected to the fact that polymer has a higher tensile strength and that wood fibre contains
high hydrophilic content (cellulose and hemicelluloses) which is responsible for the improvement
in its water absorption capacity.
Keywords: Wood dusts, Reinforcement, Polymers, Composites, Mechanical properties