Investigation of Thermal and Strength Properties of Composite Panels Fabricated with Plaster of Paris for Insulation in Buildings

This study was designed to assess the possibility of tailoring waste papers and wood dust into composite materials with plaster of Paris (P.O.P) and also determine the suitability of using the developed composites as ceiling panels in building construction. Assorted un-used papers collected as waste materials were processed into waste paper ash (WPA) which was then after utilized like untreated wood dust (UWD) and treated wood dust (TWD) as filler materials to separately, but at similar volumetric proportions, fabricate test samples with P.O.P as matrix. Static angle of repose and major chemical constituents of the fillers were determined. The results of the tests performed on the samples revealed that increase in the proportion of each filler material resulted to decrease in bulk density, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and flexural strength but increase in percentage water absorption, specific heat capacity, thermal resistance, heat penetration time, and flaking concentration. Sample developed with 36.7 % of the WPA and the one containing 25.0 % of the TWD exhibited impressive performance ability similar to sample fabricated with 18.3 % of the UWD. Though the most significant improvement in thermal insulating ability over the pure P.O.P sample was observed in the case of samples developed with the UWD, it was found that the proportion of each filler material incorporated into the P.O.P matrix can be adjusted to achieve optimum performance desired of the resulting composite panel during its usage as a ceiling in building. From technical–economic point of view, utilizing waste papers and wood dust as raw materials in the production of new and value-added engineering materials, as in the present study, is a promising possibility of reducing the cost of P.O.P for enhancement of affordable housing, thereby meeting the needs of end-users and also ensure minimization of health hazards associated with paper and wood dust wastes.