Comparative study on mechanical performance of eco-friendly ceramic composites reinforced with polymer and sawdust additives

The use of agro-industrial waste in ceramics has gained attention for its economic and environmental benefits. While individual studies have examined polymer- or biomass-reinforced ceramics, comparative investigations on their mechanical performance within the same clay matrix are limited. This study investigated and compared the mechanical performance of ceramic composites reinforced with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer waste and sawdust residues as sustainable additives in the termite clay matrix. Composites were fabricated by reinforcing a 40 wt% termite hill clay matrix with 0–10 wt% of either PET or sawdust. Cylindrical samples were moulded using a hydraulic press and fired at 1200 °C. Mechanical tests conducted included compressive strength, porosity, and bulk density, based on standard procedures. PET-clay composites showed higher porosity (up to 43.1%) and lower bulk density, while their compressive strength peaked at 4.8 MPa at 2 wt% PET. Sawdust-clay composites had moderate porosity (up to 33.3%) and higher strength, attaining 5.2 MPa at 2 wt% sawdust. The comparative analysis reveals that sawdust-clay composites outperform PET-clay composites in compressive strength across all reinforcement levels, maintaining better structural stability and strength retention. These findings highlight the suitability of sawdust for applications requiring moderate strength and better structural integrity, and PET for lightweight applications.