Production of low-cost biocomposite made of palm fibers waste and gypsum plaster

Abstract

In recent years, natural fibers have been increasingly employed in building materials, due to their proprieties for manufacturing low-cost, renewable, and eco-friendly composites. This study aimed to develop a biocomposite based on local materials: natural fibers and plaster. The natural fibers used are date palm fibers waste from Gabes oasis, Tunisia. In order to characterize these materials, many properties were investigated experimentally (i.e., size, thermal behavior, and microstructural characteristics). On the biocomposite samples, compressive and flexural strength, as well as water absorption tests were performed, properties which increased with the addition of fiber wastes. In order to improve the composite durability, chemical treatments with sodium hypochlorite and resin coating were carried out to decrease surface tension and improve adhesion with the plaster matrix. As a result, the biocomposite showed satisfactory physical, thermal, and mechanical performances, which qualify it as a thermal insulation building material.