Assessment of thermal, hygroscopic, and mechanical properties of plant fiber-reinforced resin composites for eco-friendly building insulation
Amine Tilioua, Abderrahim Benallel, Youssef Khrissi
Abstract
This work aims to investigate the thermal, hygroscopic, and mechanical properties of bio-based composites composed of epoxy resin LY556 and natural fibers derived from date palms, alfa, and reeds. The samples were prepared with a fixed mass fraction of 50 % fibers and 50 % resin. Experimental measurements revealed apparent densities ranging from 322.7 to 583.5 kg/m³ . Thermal conductivity varies from 0.069 to 0.135 W/m·K, indicating good thermal insulation performance. Capillary absorption ranged from 12.13 % to 47.95 %, depending on the internal structure and porosity of the fibers. Compressive strength reached values between 80.3 and 130.4 MPa, indicating sufficient mechanical capacity for building applications. An analysis was conducted to optimize insulation thickness based on the climatic conditions of six Moroccan cities. The optimal insulation thickness, which allows for energy savings ranging from $45.93 to $57.43 per square meter, as well as payback periods of between 2 and 2.31 years, varies from 0.03 to 0.07 m. These results confirm the thermal efficiency, economic viability, and environmental potential of these composite materials for sustainable insulation solutions.