Influence of the Kind and the Shape of Insulating Materials on the Mechanical Properties of the Composites Plaster- Granular Cork and Plaster- Fiber Alpha

Abstract

The objective of our work is to study the influence of nature and the shape of the insulating materials on the mechanical performance of composites based on plaster. The study aims to increase the thermal performance of the building envelope and the same time maintains sufficient mechanical properties of the composites studied. Plaster was combined with two additives (alpha fiber and granular cork). A physical and mechanical characterization of the composites plaster-fiber alpha and plaster-cork was carried on. Authors obtained an important gain in term of lightness 27 % concerning the composite plaster-fiber alpha, however for the composite plaster-cork, the value is 34 %. Concerning the mechanical properties, authors found a decrease in flexural strength of 60 % for the plaster-cork, and an increase of 33 % for the plaster-alpha fiber. For the compressive strength, a reduce of 87 % for the plaster-alpha fiber and 80% for the plaster-cork was observed. Those finding are justified by the scanning microscopic electron tests which show the distribution of the two insulators and adhesion within the plaster matrix.