Re-pulped waste paper-based composite building materials with low thermal conductivity

Abstract

This paper presents an investigation on the properties and applications of paper-based composites. The materials composed of cement, sand and re-pulped waste paper. The physical, mechanical and thermal properties of various types of paper composites were determined. The results showed that the addition of re-pulped waste paper causes high water absorption and leads to a reduction in thermal conductivity, bulk density and compressive strength. Sample mixtures containing re-pulped newspaper, office paper or any type of mixed paper have similar property values. The one exception was samples made from re-pulped carton paper which had a lower thermal conductivity and a lower bulk density than the others. When the proposed blocks were manufactured for comparison with existing masonry blocks, they were shown to satisfy the basic requirements of affordable insulating building materials and to support energy-saving and environmental conservation goals.