Recycled Cellulose Fiber Reinforced Plaster

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Sustainable Construction Materials
• Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Background:

• Developing sustainable building materials is crucial for reducing environmental impact.
• Recycled cellulose fibers offer a potential alternative to traditional construction aggregates.
• Cementitious materials require enhanced properties for diverse applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop recycled fiber-reinforced cement plaster mortar for indoor use.
• To evaluate the impact of waste paper fibers (WPF) on fresh and hardened mortar properties.
• To assess the adhesion of WPF-based mortars on common building substrates.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of varying proportions of three cellulose fiber types from waste paper into cement mortar (1:3 cement/sand ratio).
• Characterization of WPF properties (cellulose content, degree of polymerization, paper-making residues).
• Testing of workability, physical (density, thermal conductivity, water absorption), mechanical (compressive, flexural strength), and adhesive properties.

Main Results:

• Mortars with <2% WPF exhibited optimal workability (140-200 mm).
• Decreasing cement/WPF ratio improved dry bulk density and thermal conductivity but worsened water absorption and mechanical performance.
• Lime-cement mortar showed better adhesion on brick and aerated concrete blocks compared to slag-cement mortar.

Conclusions:

• Recycled cellulose fibers can be incorporated into cement mortar for improved insulation and workability.
• Higher fiber content negatively impacts mechanical properties and increases water absorption due to porosity.
• WPF-based lime-cement mortar is suitable for fine plastering, demonstrating good adhesion to substrates.