The effect of chemical treatment on the mechanical and thermal properties of composite materials based on clay reinforced with sawdust

This study investigates the effect of the chemical treatment of sawdust on the mechanical and thermal properties of a clay composite reinforced with sawdust in variable mass proportions: 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5%, intended for use as brick in rural houses in desert areas. The sawdust was chemically treated with 5 wt% NaOH and 0.01 wt% KMnO4 solutions. The mechanical test results of the reinforced composite with alkali-treated sawdust show an increase in flexural and compression strength, reaching a maximum value of 0.89 and 4.85 MPa, respectively. However, the thermal test results show a significant decrease in the thermal conductivity of the sawdust-reinforced composite. The best result recorded is that of untreated sawdust, which has a value of 0.37 (W.m(-1).K-1) compared to the one reinforced with treated sawdust.