Arthur M. Usmani

Alternative Low Cost Roofing Material Candidates Based On Bagasse Filled Composites

Four composite material systems useful for roofing in the tropics were developed which utilize major percentages of bagasse (sugar cane residue) filler, and minor amounts of phenolic or other resin binders. The various materials were actually manufactured in small quantities in three developing countries and trial exposure roofs installed.

Fire Resistance of Polystyrenes and a Post Fabrication Crosslinking Method

This paper describes the comparative fire resistance of amorphous, crystalline, and crosslinked polystyrenes. The lat ter was found to be the slowest in burning rate and does not drip flaming residue while burning. We suggest that the advantages of these characteristics of crosslinked polystyrenes should be studied further. One method used to crosslink polystyrene was through grafting with vinyltriethoxysilane. After the material had been fabricated as a thermoplastic into final form, it was crosslinked by treatment with hot water or steam. In addition to reducing the property to drip while burning, the post-crosslinking process also enhanced thermal form stability at elevated temperature. Other styrenic polymers such as ABS and high-impact polystyrene might be im proved in the same way.

Development of Clay Filled Roofing Materials

This paper describes bonding of clay with minor amounts of a phenolic emulsion to produce bricks, roofing tiles or synthetic aggregates, and requires only low temperature baking (100°C to 150°C). The manufacture of conventional bricks is energy intensive whereas our process has low energy requirement.