Abstract:
In this current era, there are some concerns of using synthetic fibres in regards to their impact on
the environment since they are non-recyclable and non-degradable. There are many attempts by
various groups of engineers and researchers to use natural fibres in engineering applications, in
the hopes of replacing synthetic fibres with natural fibres. In this project, the possibility of-using
natural fibres in place of synthetic insulators is investigated in terms of their compression strength
and thermal behaviour. Sisal fibres are selected as: reinforcement for gypsum. to gain. high
·interracial adhesion of the sisal fibres with gypsum, sisal was treated with 6% NaoH. The
composites were fabricated with fiber mass fraction ranging from 0,1,3,5 and 6%.
Central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM)was used to model the
relationship between the responses (compressive strength and thermal insulation) .and factors
(fibre mass fraction and composite treatment temperature) from which the experimental runs (13)
were obtained. This was done using Minitab software. Compressive strength test was done
according to ASTMC 39 and thermal behavior according to ASTMC 518
From the compressive test, it was observed that the addition of fibres to the gypsum, matrix
improves the compressive strength, and resulted in reduced brittleness with an optimum fibre mass
fraction4.5 % at a treatment temperature of242oC. The thermal behaviour-result showed that pure
gypsum was found to have the lowest insulation, The thermal insulation of the composites increases. with the increment of fibre mass fraction. Treatment temperatures below .400oc does not significantly affect the thermal and compressive strength of the composite sisal fibres as reinforcement. on gypsum produces' composites suitable for building insulation at treatment temperatures less thail'200°c,.and fiber mass fraction less than 7%.
