INNOVATIVE FIREPROOF INSULATING PANELS FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTES

Abstract

To reduce pollution as well as energy consumption, new insulating and non-flammable bio-panels based on the combination of different reinforcements such as Miscanthus x giganteus particles and rice husk mixed with recycled textile fibres were prepared using Chitosan as a polysaccharide natural binder. Different formulations using one or more combined reinforcements and Chitosan (7 wt%) as an aqueous binder were prepared by a thermocompression process. Mechanical, thermal and fire behaviour of the panels were examined. Results showed that the mechanical properties vary according to the size and the nature of the used reinforcements. All the panels showed sufficient bending and compressive strength for thermal insulation uses, according to European construction specifications (DIN 4108-10). The highest mechanical strengths in bending and compression have been found for the formulation with small size miscanthus particles (0.48 MPa and 0.64 MPa respectively). Fireproof panels (E rating, according to standard NF EN ISO 11925-2) with an insulating behavior (thermal conductivity vary between 0.07 and 0.09 W/m/K) and a density range between 247 and 400 kg/m³ were successfully elaborated. The prepared bio-panels show promising results and great potential to compete with the conventional insulating materials used nowadays.