Effect of Paper Sludge Ash on the Compressive Strength of Plaster of Paris/Paper Sludge Ash Composites

In this study, paper sludge ash, a waste from pulp and paper industry was used as a filler in fabricating Plaster of Paris/paper sludge ash composites. Various percentage of paper sludge ash was used, namely 1wt.%, 3wt.%, 5wt.% and 7wt.%. The effect of paper sludge ash on the compressive strength of the Plaster of Paris was studied. The mixed powder of paper sludge ash and Plaster of Paris were form into a 6 mm diameter and 12 mm height cylindrical samples. The composites were characterized theirs density where it shows that the density decreased as the amount of paper sludge ash increased. The compressive strength of the composites also decreased from 11.67 MPa without paper sludge ash addition to 0.50 MPa at 7wt.% paper sludge ash. However, the requirement of strength for Plaster of Paris in industry is between 8.96 MPa to 20.68 MPa. From the SEM observation, sample contain higher percentage of paper sludge ash exhibited more porosity. Therefore with the addition of 1wt.% of paper sludge ash into Plaster of Paris can be a promising construction material.