Effect of Board Thickness on Physico-mechanical Properties of Bio-polymer Tiles Reinforced with Shea Nutshell Dust and Enhanced with Kaolinite

This study investigates the production and mechanical properties of bio-plastic tiles using a composite mixture of Shea Nut Shell (SNS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and clay. The mixtures were extruded and compressed into bio-plastic tiles of two different sizes: (19 × 9 × 2.5) cm and (19 × 9 × 5.0) cm. To assess the influence of particle size and composition on tile properties, SNS was processed into 1 mm and 2 mm geometrical sizes and combined in four different weight-to-weight proportions: 90/10/100, 80/20/100, 70/30/100, and 60/40/100 (SNS/clay/plastic). The study examined the effects of particle size and composition ratio on key physical and mechanical properties, including density, flexural strength, flexural modulus, compression strength, and impact bending resistance. Additionally, the influence of tile thickness and inter-structural material arrangement on mechanical performance was analyzed using a factorial experimental design. The results showed density values ranging from 2.95g/cm<sup>3</sup> to 4.07g/cm<sup>3</sup>, with variations in flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact bending, and compression across different compositions. Structural analysis revealed that the 90/10/100 ratio exhibited superior bonding cohesion and compatibility, leading to enhanced mechanical properties. The findings indicate that the investigated factors significantly influenced the performance of bio-plastic tiles. The mechanical values obtained in this study align with standard requirements for construction materials, suggesting that these tiles are suitable for use in pavement pathways with both low and high load-bearing capacities.