URBANREC

Increasing constraints on the use of concrete and need to promote energy efficient green buildings are leading the research for new materials for civil engineering and architectural applications. Biobased renewable materials such as bamboo and coir are being studied for both indoor and outdoor applications. Utilizing agricultural residues and co-products for construction directly promotes sustainability and green building. In addition, substantial value can be added to the residues, use of synthetic polymers can be reduced and hence benefits to the environment can be accrued. In this research, we report an approach to utilize sugarcane bagasse for high value interior applications. We have used raw bagasse as reinforcement and wheat gluten as matrix to develop completely biodegradable ceiling tiles. Ratio of bagasse and gluten and density of the composite was varied to achieve desired level of performance. The biodegradable ceiling tiles were characterized for their flexural strength, thermal, water and acoustic resistance. The bagasse-gluten composite even at its lowest density had 63% higher flexural strength than the conventional gypsum based ceiling tiles. The composites exhibited good thermal stability until 250?°C. Maximum water absorbed by bagasse-gluten composites was 62% (w/w) as opposed to the 84% for the gypsum tiles. Furthermore, bagasse-gluten composites had similar flammability as that of the gypsum tiles and possessed moderate acoustic insulation and heat transmission. Bagasse based ceiling tiles meet most of the performance requirements and show high potential to replace the gypsum based tiles in current use.

» Author: Vijaykumar Guna, Manikandan Ilangovan, Chunyan Hu, Krishna Venkatesh, Narendra Reddy

» Reference: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2019.01.011

» Publication Date: 01/05/2019

» More Information

« Go to Technological Watch