US EPA

3584246 

Journal Article 

Thermal performance of sisal fiber-cement roofing tiles for rural constructions 

Denzin Tonoli, GH; dos Santos, SF; Rabi, JA; dos Santos, WN; Savastano Junior, H 

2011 

1 

Scientia Agricola
ISSN: 0103-9016
EISSN: 1678-992X 

68 

1 

1-7 

WOS:000286617100001 

Roofing provides the main protection against direct solar radiation in animal housing. Appropriate thermal properties of roofing materials tend to improve the thermal comfort in the inner ambient. Non-asbestos fiber-cement roofing components reinforced with cellulose pulp from sisal (Agave sisalana) were produced by slurry and dewatering techniques, with an optional addition of polypropylene fibers. Non-asbestos tiles were evaluated and compared with commercially available asbestos-cement sheets and ceramic tiles (frequently chosen as roofing materials for animal housing). Thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of tiles were determined by the parallel hot-wire method, along with the evaluation of the downside surface temperature. Cement-based components reinforced with sisal pulp presented better thermal performance at room temperature (25 degrees C), while those reinforced with sisal pulp added by polypropylene fibers presented better thermal performance at 60 degrees C. Non-asbestos cement tiles provided more efficient protection against radiation than asbestos corrugated sheets. 

cellulose pulp; polypropylene fiber; thermal comfort; parallel hot-wire method; thermal conductivity