Current roofing options in low income areas of India consist of two rather unsustainable options�concrete, which requires a substantial initial investment, and metal sheets which are replaced frequently and are poor insulators. A new type of roofing made out of recycled materials, mainly cardboard, is working to bridge the gap between metal sheets and concrete roofs. The  waterproof coating currently applied to the composite material is hazardous, expensive and susceptible to scratching. It is crucial to improve the water resistance of the underlying composite material to improve the durability and reduce the cost of these panels.       Our work has focused on finding ways to improve the water resistance of the underlying composite materials so that cheaper, less toxic coatings could be used. We have found that calcium stearate added during the preparation of the panels increases water resistance of highly compressed panels and that the performance of these panels is a function of both the amount of calcium stearate and the density of the panels.  The relative water resistant performance of calcium stearate was determined by analysis of surface hydrophobicity using contact angle measurements and the percent water absorption determined by submersion of the panel in water. The water resistant behavior of the composite material is dependant on the density of the panel as well as the weight percent (wt%) of calcium stearate. The absorbancy of the panel is an inverse function of density and a step function of wt% calcium stearate.

Calcium stearate as a water resistant additive in sustainable roofing panels from recycled materials

248th National Meeting (2014)

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