Comparative Studies of the Effects of Blocking and Water Repellant Agents on Tensile Strengths OF Fanpalm

Abstract

The effects of blocking and water repellant coatings applied on fanpalm specimens on the tensile strength were examined. Fanpalm specimens (coated and uncoated specimens) were soaked in sodium hydroxide solution for specific periods up to 1 year to expose item to alkaline attack. Two groups of coating agents (blocking and water repellant agents) were applied as treatment agents. The blocking agents were of three types; sodium sulphate, magnesium sulphate and hydroxylamine, while water repellant agents also were of three types sulphur, bitumen and epoxy. Tensile strength tests were carried out on these specimens and results presented. The result revealed that as the duration of soaking in cement slurry of uncoated fanpalm increases, the nominal ultimate tensile strength of the fanpalm decreases from 107 to 17.50 N/mm2 at 366 days in cement slurry. While the specimens coated with water repellant and blocking agents decreased to 40.67 N/mm2 and 18.33 N/mm2 respectively at 366 days. This shows that coating fanpalm with blocking and water repellants will improved the resistant to chemical attack. up to 270 days. Beyond 270 days the coating specimens with water repellant is more effective. The specimens coated with blocking agents are of lower ultimate strength compared with uncoated specimens within 270 to 366 days in alkaline media.