Impact of hemp shiv content and binder type on the thermal and mechanical properties of geopolymer composites

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of incorporating hemp shiv (HS) fibers into geopolymer composites formulated with metakaolin (MK), coal combustion fly ash (FA1), and biomass fly ash (FA2) on their thermal and mechanical properties. HS content was varied (0, 200, 250, 300, and 350 wt% of the binder) to assess its effect on dry density, porosity, thermal conductivity, and microstructure. Results show that increasing HS content significantly increased porosity, leading to reduced density and thermal conductivity across all binder types. FA2-based composites exhibited the highest porosity (68.6%) and the lowest thermal conductivity (0.068 W.m -1 .K -1 ) at 350 wt% HS, reinforcing their suitability for thermal insulation applications. SEM analysis revealed substantial interfacial voids and cracking, particularly in FA-based composites, contributing to enhanced insulation properties but reducing compressive strength. Incomplete geopolymerization was observed in high-fiber-content composites, likely due to the absorption of activator solution by HS fibers, which affected matrix cohesion. Despite these structural changes, all composites remained within NF EN 998-1 standards for rendering and plastering mortars, with FA2-based composites demonstrating the greatest potential for thermal insulation applications, contributing to sustainability in construction.

The Interfacial Effect of Structural Optimization of Sugar Palm and Woven Carbon Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites on Mechanical, Thermal, Fire Resistance, and Morphological Performance
Mohammed Huzaifa Mulla, Mohd Nurazzi Norizan, Mohamad Haafiz Mohamad Kassim +5
Journal of Natural Fibers25 Jul 2026Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textEnvironmental science & pollutionHAL
The influence of moisture ingression on mechanical and vibrational properties of basalt, glass, and hybrid fiber-epoxy composites
Dayananda Pai, Jibin Jacob John, Sriharsha Hegde +2
PLOS One21 Oct 2026Peer-reviewedCC BYFull textMaterials & polymers Geology & geochemistryPLOSEurope PMC
Durability and hygrothermal performance of metakaolin-based geopolymer composites reinforced with hemp shiv and miscanthus fibers
Hussein Nasreddine, Thouraya Salem, Assia Djerbi +2
Construction and Building Materials22 Sep 2026Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Full text10 citedEnvironmental science & pollutionHAL
Review of the Properties of Cement-Based Composites with Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Potential Functional Applications
Eryk Goldmann, Marcin Górski, Barbara Klemczak +1
Materials4 Jun 2026Peer-reviewedCC BY5 citedEnvironmental science & pollutionOpenAlex
Thermo-mechanical behavior and thermal regulation measures of subgrade layer in roads under stochastic periodic thermal disturbance
Gaosheng Li, Xiangtian Xu, Yundong Zhou +4
Communications Engineering3 Jul 2026Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Full textClimate sciencePMC

Cite

BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@article{nasreddine2026impact,
  title = {{Impact of hemp shiv content and binder type on the thermal and mechanical properties of geopolymer composites}},
  author = {Hussein Nasreddine and Nicolas Dujardin and Assia Djerbi and Thouraya Salem and Laurent Gautron},
  journal = {Construction and Building Materials},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.141297},
  url = {https://univ-eiffel.hal.science/hal-05758829v1},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}

RIS

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Impact of hemp shiv content and binder type on the thermal and mechanical properties of geopolymer composites
AU  - Hussein Nasreddine
AU  - Nicolas Dujardin
AU  - Assia Djerbi
AU  - Thouraya Salem
AU  - Laurent Gautron
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/22
JO  - Construction and Building Materials
DO  - 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.141297
UR  - https://univ-eiffel.hal.science/hal-05758829v1
AB  - This study investigates the impact of incorporating hemp shiv (HS) fibers into geopolymer composites formulated with metakaolin (MK), coal combustion fly ash (FA1), and biomass fly ash (FA2) on their thermal and mechanical properties. HS content was varied (0, 200, 250, 300, and 350 wt% of the binder) to assess its effect on dry density, porosity, thermal conductivity, and microstructure. Results show that increasing HS content significantly increased porosity, leading to reduced density and thermal conductivity across all binder types. FA2-based composites exhibited the highest porosity (68.6%) and the lowest thermal conductivity (0.068 W.m -1 .K -1 ) at 350 wt% HS, reinforcing their suitability for thermal insulation applications. SEM analysis revealed substantial interfacial voids and cracking, particularly in FA-based composites, contributing to enhanced insulation properties but reducing compressive strength. Incomplete geopolymerization was observed in high-fiber-content composites, likely due to the absorption of activator solution by HS fibers, which affected matrix cohesion. Despite these structural changes, all composites remained within NF EN 998-1 standards for rendering and plastering mortars, with FA2-based composites demonstrating the greatest potential for thermal insulation applications, contributing to sustainability in construction.
SN  - 0950-0618
SN  - 1879-0526
ER  -

Abstract

Related

Cite