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. 2021 May 31;14(11):2986.
doi: 10.3390/ma14112986.

Recycled Cellulose Fiber Reinforced Plaster

Nadezda Stevulova  1 , Vojtech Vaclavik  2 , Viola Hospodarova  1 , Tomáš Dvorský  2
Affiliations

Recycled Cellulose Fiber Reinforced Plaster

Nadezda Stevulova et al. Materials (Basel). .

Abstract

This paper aims to develop recycled fiber reinforced cement plaster mortar with a good workability of fresh mixture, and insulation, mechanical and adhesive properties of the final hardened product for indoor application. The effect of the incorporation of different portions of three types of cellulose fibers from waste paper recycling into cement mortar (cement/sand ratio of 1:3) on its properties of workability, as well as other physical and mechanical parameters, was studied. The waste paper fiber (WPF) samples were characterized by their different cellulose contents, degree of polymerization, and residues from paper-making. The cement to waste paper fiber mass ratios (C/WPF) ranged from 500:1 to 3:1, and significantly influenced the consistency, bulk density, thermal conductivity, water absorption behavior, and compressive and flexural strength of the fiber-cement mortars. The workability tests of the fiber-cement mortars containing less than 2% WPF achieved optimal properties corresponding to plastic mortars (140-200 mm). The development of dry bulk density and thermal conductivity values of 28-day hardened fiber-cement mortars was favorable with a declining C/WPF ratio, while increasing the fiber content in cement mortars led to a worsening of the water absorption behavior and a lower mechanical performance of the mortars. These key findings were related to a higher porosity and weaker adhesion of fibers and cement particles at the matrix-fiber interface. The adhesion ability of fiber-cement plastering mortar based on WPF samples with the highest cellulose content as a fine filler and two types of mixed hydraulic binder (cement with finely ground granulated blast furnace slag and natural limestone) on commonly used substrates, such as brick and aerated concrete blocks, was also investigated. The adhesive strength testing of these hardened fiber-cement plaster mortars on both substrates revealed lime-cement mortar to be more suitable for fine plaster. The different behavior of fiber-cement containing finely ground slag manifested in a greater depth of the plaster layer failure, crack formation, and in greater damage to the cohesion between the substrate and mortar for the observed time.

Keywords: adhesive strength; fiber-cement plaster mortar; granulated blast furnace slag; limestone; physical and mechanical performance; waste paper fiber.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
SEM micrographs of WPF samples (a,d) A, (b,e) B, and (c,f) C at magnifications of 1500× and 6000×.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Capillary water absorption testing scheme.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Application of fiber-cement mortar on the substrate of an aerated concrete block (a); demonstration of testing the adhesion of fiber-cement mortar to the substrate (b).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mean spill diameter values for reference and fiber-cement fresh mixtures based on WPF samples (A, B, and C) with different C/WPF ratios (set I).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Mean spill diameter values for reference and fiber-cement fresh mixtures based on WPF samples (A, B, and C) with different C/WPF ratios (set II).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Effect of fiber content (sample C) on the consistency of the fiber-cement fresh mixture.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Development of bulk density with C/WPF ratios in fiber-cement mortars (set I) after 28 days of hardening.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Development of bulk density with C/WPF ratios in fiber-cement mortars (set II) after 28 days of hardening.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Thermal conductivity coefficients for 28-day hardened fiber-cement mortars (set I) with different C/WPF ratios.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Thermal conductivity coefficients for 28-day hardened fiber-cement mortars (set II) with different C/WPF ratios.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Dependence of the thermal conductivity coefficient of 28-day hardened fiber-cement mortars on the increased content of fiber sample C.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Relationship between the thermal conductivity coefficient and bulk density of 28-day fiber-cement mortar sample C with different C/WPF ratios.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Relationship of the absorbency and capillary water absorption of fiber-cement mortars with increasing fiber content.
Figure 14
Figure 14
Micrographs of the texture of 28-day fiber-cement mortars samples A3 (a,d), B3 (b,e), and C3 (c,f) for C/WPF with a ratio of 200:1 under UV light using WB (left) and WU filter (right).
Figure 15
Figure 15
Compressive strength of fiber-cement mortars with different C/WPF ratios (set I).
Figure 16
Figure 16
Compressive strength of fiber-cement mortars with different C/WPF ratios (set II).
Figure 17
Figure 17
Flexural strength of fiber-cement mortars with different C/WPF ratios (set I).
Figure 18
Figure 18
Flexural strength of fiber-cement mortars with different C/WPF ratios (set II).
Figure 19
Figure 19
Linear dependence of compressive strength on bulk density of fiber-cement mortar samples (C1–C7).
Figure 20
Figure 20
Relationship between flexural and compressive strength of fiber-cement mortars (C1–C7).
Figure 21
Figure 21
Damage of the brick substrate with C9 plaster mixture.
Figure 22
Figure 22
Damage of an aerated concrete block substrate with the C9 plaster mixture.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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