Development of sustainable gypsum board made from coconut and water hyacinth fibers

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to further develop the properties of the gypsum board composed of coconut and water hyacinth fibers, with a primary focus on agricultural residues and weeds for making the gypsum board. The gypsum plaster ( GP) Type 1 was replaced by coconut fiber (CF) and water hyacinth fiber (WHF) at the dosages of 0, 50, 75, 100, and 150 by mass. The density, water absorption, bending force, pull-off resistance, and thermal conductivity of the gypsum board were investigated. Test results found that the GP incorporating CF and WHF decreased their density and thermal conductivity values. Thermal conductivity results showed that the GP containing CF and WHF was an excellent candidate for use as an insulating lightweight material. However, due to the high porosity of CF and WHF, the water absorption values were greater than those of the control mix. In addition, the GP with CF100 and CF150 met the bending force and pull-off resistance requirements as per TIS. 219-2552. Therefore, the GP with CF100 and CF150 can be used as an alternative gypsum board in terms of low density, good bending force and pull-off resistance, and low thermal conductivity when compared to commercially available gypsum boards.