Brief 

Discover how vegetable fibers enhance strength, durability, and sustainability in cement composites, paving the way for greener construction.

 

Insight

Vegetable fibers (VFs) are transforming the construction industry by offering sustainable and high-performance alternatives to traditional materials. These fibers, classified into wood (e.g., pine, eucalyptus) and non-wood types (e.g., hemp, jute, sisal, bamboo), are used to reinforce cement composites, enhancing properties like tensile strength, flexibility, and fracture toughness.

Coconut coir and sugarcane bagasse, for instance, outperform conventional reinforcements in fracture toughness and energy absorption.Challenges such as natural fiber degradation in cement’s alkaline environment are being addressed through innovative treatments, like immersing fibers in calcium or sodium hydroxide. Additionally, mechanical treatments improve distribution and bonding within the cement matrix.

Advanced applications include hemp-lime concrete for soundproofing, açai fibers for wall coverings, and Himalayan nettle for acoustic panels. These lightweight, cost-effective materials are sourced from plants, agricultural byproducts, and waste, making them both sustainable and accessible.Future research aims to maximise the potential of vegetable fibers through CO2 absorption, enhanced durability, and machine learning for optimised applications.

With their unique benefits, VFs are set to become a cornerstone of eco-friendly, high-performance construction.

 

Highlight

  1. hese fibers, classified into wood (e.g., pine, eucalyptus) and non-wood types (e.g., hemp, jute, sisal, bamboo), are used to reinforce cement composites, enhancing properties like tensile strength, flexibility, and fracture toughness.
  2. Challenges such as natural fiber degradation in cement’s alkaline environment are being addressed through innovative treatments, like immersing fibers in calcium or sodium hydroxide.
  3. Advanced applications include hemp-lime concrete for soundproofing, açai fibers for wall coverings, and Himalayan nettle for acoustic panels.

 

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