Mechanical properties of natural fiber composites and gypsum

Abstract

Gypsum is a material widely used in civil construction due to its excellent performance, ease of application and fire resistance. However, despite all the advantages, plaster has some disadvantages due to its fragility and low mechanical strength. In recent years, several researches have been carried out in order to correct the deficiencies that this material presents through the addition of natural fibers, synthetic fibers and mineral particles in the gypsum matrix. In this context, natural fibers are noteworthy, as they are low cost, abundant, renewable and allow the reuse of waste generated in different sectors of production. Thus, the present study carried out a systematic review of articles published in the last five years, by the editor Elsevier, on natural fiber composites and gypsum. In this context, this research restricted the analysis of the effects caused by the addition of fibers to plaster, to the mechanical properties evaluated in the selected articles. The fibers mentioned in this study were sisal, hemp, seagrass Possidonia oceanica, lignin, flax shive, sheep wool and coir. So, It was found in the present review that, in general, the addition of natural fiber to gypsum increased the mechanical properties of the composites studied in the literature. Also, the use of natural fibers as reinforcement materials in the gypsum matrix is economically favorable, due to the low cost and abundance of these materials, and sustainable due as much to the reuse of these residues, and to Its renewable sources, thus benefiting society and the environment.
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