Effect of Zinc Oxide as an Additive on the Mechanical and Physical Properties of Singgora Roof Tile

The Singgora roof tile has been used widely as roofing material in traditional Malay housing in olden days. However, few factors such as high moisture –absorption, fungus growth and easily crack to make it less competitive and enduring falling of purchaser demand nowadays. These drawbacks are due to the mechanical and physical properties of the roof itself. Substantial work should be carried out to overwhelm the mentioned shortcomings of Singgora roof tile in sustaining the traditional legacy. Therefore, the inclusion of additive like Zinc Oxide (ZnO) in the production of Singgora roof tile can improve its mechanical and physical properties. Six different compositions of ZnO (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 wt. %) mixed with clay powder were fired in a furnace for 16 hours at a temperature of 800 °C. The final product of ZnO incorporation with clay roof tile was characterised for mechanical and physical properties such as SEM observation, density and porosity measurements, and three-point bending test investigation. From the result, 10 wt. % ZnO addition shows the optimum result which consists of low porosity, high density and also high flexural strength.