96 JPE (2015) Vol.18 (2) Preliminary Note Olorunmaiye, J. A., Ohijeagbon, I. O. RETROFITING COMPOSITE CEILING BOARDS WITH JATROPHA CURCAS SEEDCAKE MATERIAL Received: 5 November 2015 / Accepted: 30 November 2015 Abstract: Estimations of properties of composite ceiling boards which employ wood waste particles and jatropha seed cake was studied. Predictive models for the simulation of physical and mechanical properties of the composite products was conducted; and were used to study the characteristics of bulk density (BD), thickness swelling index (TS), modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and internal bonding strength (IB) of the composite ceiling boards analysed. Equal amounts of jatropha and sawmill dust in the theoretical composite particle/ceiling board resulted in values of properties, bulk density 0.8975 g/cm 3 , thickness swelling index 9.83%, modulus of rupture 25.05 MPa, modulus of elasticity 2.42 GPa and internal bonding strength 13.86 MPa respectively. Improved mechanical properties and denser composite particle/ceiling board can generally be produced with addition of jatropha to sawmill dust under specified control conditions of fiber-matrix mixture aggregates. Key words: Ceiling boards, jatropha, sawmill dust, fiber-matrix Dopuna kompozitnih ploča plafona sa barbadoskim orašćićem (Jatropha Curcas). U ovom radu je izvršena procena osobina kompozitnih plafonskih ploča napravljenih od otpadnog drveta i semena barbadoskog orašćića. Konstruisan je prediktivni modela za simulaciju fizičkih i mehaničkih osobina kompozitnih proizvoda, koji je posle korišćen za proučavanje karakteristike gustine (BD), indexa otoka debljine (TS), modula kidanja (MOR), modula elastičnosti (ME) i unutrašnje snage vezivanja (IB) kompozitnih plafonskih ploča. Jednaki količinski udeli barbadoskog orašćića i piljevine u kompozitnom materijalu plafonskih ploča rezultiralo je sledećim vrednostima osobina: gustina 0,8975 g/cm 3 , index otoka debljine 9,83%, modul kidanja 25,05 MPa, modul elastičnosti 2.42 GPa i unutrašnje snage vezivanja 13.86 MPa. Poboljšane mehaničke osobine i gušće kompozitne ploče plafona mogu generalno biti proizvedeni sa dodatkom barbadoskog orašćića u piljevinu, pod određenim kontrolisanim uslovima. Key words: Plafonske ploče, barbadoski orašćić (Jatropha), piljevina, matrica vlakana 1.0. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Threats to naturally existing biomass sources The conservation of the environment is a growing concern amongst stake holders in the agricultural, manufacturing and industrial sectors especially as regards sustainable use of renewable biomass materials such as wood for production of vast household and office furniture, and structural constructional materials, such as particleboards used for facing, partitioning and ceiling boards’ applications. Constant growth in the world population coupled with urbanisation and industrialisation continues to threaten naturally existing biomass sources for furniture and construction wood materials, and for energy consumption. Presently, there is a high dependence of biomass sources for energy sources and consumption in Nigeria. Osaghae, (2009) as cited in Ojolo and Orisaleye [1], suggests that traditional biomass (wood fuels) accounts for the largest share of the total energy consumption in Nigeria; this is put at 51%, followed by petroleum products 41%, natural gas 5.2%, and electricity 3.1%. In an attempt to address this rising non-sustainable practice which can lead to several environmental degradation, such as deforestation, erosion and flooding, extinction of endangered species of some animals, land sliding, amongst others. There is the need to begin to pay more attention to ways of recycling less important by-products such as jatropha curcas seedcake as suitable resources for manufacturing purposes. 1.2. Jatropha curcas seedcake as a suitable composite material This study examines the prospect of using jatropha curcas seedcake as a suitable ceiling board composite material. Although, composite materials primarily offers several benefits such as lightweight, heat resistance, mechanical and control characteristics [2], with the objective of making a component which is strong and stiff and of a low density [3]. However, composite engineering can also serve as a means of addressing issues of waste in industrial production processes, thereby enhancing conservation of the environment and sustainability [4]. When adequately explored, jatropha curcas seedcake could be turned into more useful commercial product as wood which is a good renewable resource material due to its valuable industrial applications [5]. 1.3. Characteristics of jatropha curcas seed cakes The jatropha curcas seed cakes are produced by expelling oil from high oil-bearing seeds. Expelled oilseed cake contains 8-12% oil depending on the efficiency of expeller. The seed cake left as a by- product after oil extraction by screw press can contain as much as 500–600 g/ kg indigestible shells [6]. This accounts for about 50-60% by weight of the seed. The residue matter or cake can be as much as 75% of the