Rubber and oil palm Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) as a composite material for cement roof tile

This study delves into the environmental advantages of incorporating recycled rubber and oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) into cement roof tile composites. The integration of these materials not only benefits the environment but also proves economically advantageous by minimizing expenses related to landfill and incineration. The study focuses on developing composite samples (labelled A to D) with varying percentages of OPEFB fibers, subjecting them to tests for density, thermal conductivity, and water absorption. Fabricating cement roof tile moulds tailored for specific testing further enhances the study's comprehensiveness. The findings elucidate the intricate interactions between cement, rubber, and OPEFB fibres, impacting the tiles' physical characteristics. Increasing EFB fiber content from 0 to 15 wt. % in the composite material results in a gradual decrease in density from 336.944 kg/m³ to 327.778 kg/m³. Water absorption shows a peak at 5 wt. % EFB fiber (13.08%), with a subsequent decrease at 10 wt. % (10.77%), followed by a rise at 15 wt. % (13.87%). The thermal conductivity varies among compositions, with the sample without EFB fiber having the highest value of 0.141 W/m°C. While offering promising advantages, variations in water absorption and unexpected trends in thermal testing underscore the need for further research and refinement to optimize material properties and ensure compliance with industry standards, thereby enhancing the practical applicability of these sustainable composite materials.