Mechanical and thermal properties of hemp-lime composites
Danuta Barnat-Hunek, Piotr Smarzewski, Stanisław Fic
Quarterly No. 1, 2015 pages 21-27
DOI:
keywords: hemp-lime composites, ecological building, thermal conductivity, compressive strength, flexural strength
abstract The paper presents the results of research concerning lightweight, ecological composites produced on the basis of building lime, cement and metakaolin, which are binders, as well as hemps used as a renewable raw material of agriculture. Tests of the physical and mechanical properties of lime-hemp composites were performed and their basic characteristics were determined, i.e.: absorptivity, bulk density, thermal conductivity, compressive and flexural strength, as well as the dynamic modulus of elasticity. The study was conducted to determine the use of lime-hemp composites to construct walls or to fill the frames of a wooden house. The results show that the lime-hemp composites produced are lightweight and have low thermal conductivity and apparent density. On the other hand, they are characterized by very low strength properties compared to traditional building materials. The dynamic mechanical properties of the shives reinforcing the composites depend on various factors such as shives loading, orientation and the nature of the shives-matrix interface region. The addition of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer as a plasticizing and strengthening admixture caused a considerable increase in the strength parameters of the composites.