Abstract
The use of bio-based materials in the construction field is of great interest to society and the scientific community because of its highly sustainable character. They are formed by plant fibres and a binder, usually cement, lime or pozzolanic additives. Among the new vegetable fibres used, hemp-based biomaterials have attracted great attention in the recent years due to its excellent thermal and hygroscopic properties. However, they present a very low mechanical performance, which has intensified the search for better alternatives. In this research, the use of magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) as binder with different hemp additions (8%, 12%, 16% and 20% by weight) was evaluated. Thus, a new material made of hemp and MPC (heMPC) was developed. According to the results obtained, the heMPC could be used in floor or pre-cast structural applications since it presented enhanced mechanical (σmax = 0.714 ± 0.11 MPa with a 20 wt.% of hemp content) and thermal (λD = 0.103 W · m-1 · K-1, density = 600 kg · m-3) properties with respect other lime-based hemp biomaterials. Furthermore, the material exhibited good hygroscopic properties (water absorption by capillarity). Accordingly, this preliminary study allowed opening a new research line in the use of hemp bio-composites, in which other important properties are currently under investigation. The MPC used as a binder in this study was formulated with a by-product from the MgO industry, which increases the sustainability and recyclability criteria of the material developed.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 62-68 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Construction and Building Materials |
Volume | 105 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Feb 2016 |
Keywords
- Biocomposites
- Biomaterials
- Hemp
- Magnesium phosphate cement
- MgO
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Building and Construction
- General Materials Science