Effect of jute fiber reinforcement on the mechanical properties of expanded perlite particles-filled gypsum composites

In this work, jute fiber reinforced gypsum composites (JRGCs) and unreinforced gypsum composites (URGCs) using varying amounts of expanded perlite particles as filler were manufactured to investigate the effects of perlite content and fiber reinforcement on the mechanical properties of the composites. The prepared composites were characterized for density, compressive properties, flexural properties, and failure behaviour during both compression and flexural tests. The incorporation of perlite and jute fibers in gypsum showed both positive and negative impacts on the mechanical properties. The addition of expanded perlite in pure gypsum improved the density, specific compressive strength, compressive modulus, and compressive toughness. The flexural modulus and toughness were enhanced remarkably for both JRGCs and URGCs due to the addition of perlite although the flexural strength was decreased. The compressive and flexural toughness were increased by 140.73 % and 3608.03 % respectively due to 2.44 % jute fiber reinforcement in the pure gypsum although the compressive and flexural strength were decreased by 12.79 % and 13.94 % respectively. The failure mechanisms during compression and flexural tests were positively changed and the crack propagation after failure initiation was successfully arrested by jute fiber reinforcement.