Development and evaluation of kraft pulp-banana fibre-reinforced cement composites as a sustainable alternative to asbestos cement boards in Africa

Abstract

Many developing countries, particularly in Africa, still rely on carcinogenic asbestos fibres for producing cement boards used in roofing and cladding. This research focuses on creating a sustainable, affordable, and locally available alternative to asbestos. A specialised laboratory technique, designed to mimic industrial asbestos-cement board production, was used to develop kraft pulp–banana fibre reinforced cement composite boards. Their mechanical, durability, and morphological properties were tested after curing in a humidity chamber. Findings showed that boards made with 10 wt.% kraft pulp and 6 wt.% banana fibres achieved the best performance, with a flexural strength of 14.31 MPa and a deflection of 2.15 mm. Physical and morphological assessments confirmed that lightweight boards with strong fibre-matrix bonding can be achieved using kraft and banana fibres. The results also demonstrate that these hybrid fibre-reinforced cement boards meet relevant standards such as BS EN 12467, indicating that they are a safe and effective potential replacement for asbestos-based products.