This study aims to investigate the physical properties (bulk density, and water absorption) and mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity, and compressive strength) of particulate composite materials in epoxy resin matrix reinforced with sawdust, Portland cement and magnesium silicate. An initial experimental design was developed involving only the epoxy resin and sawdust. Subsequently, the decision was made to choose the treatment that gave the highest values for the modulus of elasticity in compression. From this chosen condition, four other conditions were developed, incorporating 10% to 20% in mass fraction of particles of magnesium silicate and Portland cement (PC-V) in the resin. Compounds with 30% of Eucalyptus grandis sawdust and range of particle size 50-80 US-Tyler showed the best values for the modulus of elasticity in compression, which was used as a reference condition for the inclusion of cement and silicate particles. The use of cement in the compounds produced a significant increase in the compressive modulus of elasticity, bulk density and reduced water absorption.
Sawdust; Cement; Magnesium silicate; Compression; Design of experiments
