Cellulose fibers in building materials for more sustainable infrastructure

There is currently an urgent need for sustainable and renewable materials that can help heavy industries, such as construction, to contribute to the conservation of the environment and ecosystem and be more in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. In this context, fibers as a reinforcing material have been used and applied in various forms in the construction industry, especially synthetic fibers such as carbon fiber-reinforced polymer and fiber-reinforced polymer glass. Cellulose fibers are usually classified based on the part or portion of the plant from which it was extracted. To illustrate this, fibers extracted from plant leaves are entitled to leaf fibers. However, in the scientific community, the term “cellulose fiber” is more commonly used for research and experimental purposes in natural fibers. However, due to concerns and challenges in terms of environmental performance, the construction industry has focused on that shift towards natural fibers, which many scientists believe can enhance the mechanical properties of building materials such as compressive strength and bending ability. The chemical structure of cellulose fibers has a unique shape that helps it to be embedded in composite materials and enhance mechanical/functional properties by forming internal polymer chains better than crystalline and amorphous regions. According to several studies, three organic components, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin are the reason for this microstructural uniqueness of cellulose fibers.Previous experimental studies conducted on natural fibers as reinforcement materials have shown the need for a thorough investigation of cellulose fibers and their compatibility with other longevity performance elements, such as durability against harsh environmental factors.There are also other advantages of natural fibers in the production stage compared to synthetic fibers. For example, in terms of health, safety and environment during production, natural fibers have the following advantages: Lower CO2 emissions, less hazardous manufacturing procedures, lower level of toxic emissions and fumes workers and less maintenance needed to equip production equipment due to low abrasive damage behavior. Furthermore, the chemical composition and benefits of cellulose fibers give a competitive advantage against protein fibers. For further explanation, in construction and industrial application, cellulose fibers have an advanced degree of polymerization and higher cellulose content with better mechanical properties such as compressive and tensile strength needed for material selection. There is a great and vital potential for cellulose fibers to provide practical and economic solutions and tools for the building and construction industry to maintain healthy and environmental performance to achieve sustainable development using new and green materials such as as biological composite materials for reinforcement within building materials.

With compliments

Dr. Ghanem Keshwani