Enhancing the Mechanical and Moisture Resistance Properties of Plaster of Paris Using Nano-Silica, Glass Fibres, and Polyvinyl Alcohol
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Plaster of Paris (POP) is widely utilised in construction and artistic applications, yet its limited mechanical strength and sensitivity to moisture remain significant technical challenges. This study investigates the effects of incorporating nanosilica, glass fibres, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on the performance of POP-based composites. Various formulations were evaluated for compressive, flexural, and hardness strengths, as well as water absorption. The experimental protocol distinguished between two immersion conditions: a 2 h immersion period was employed specifically for water absorption testing, while mechanical properties (compressive, flexural, and hardness) were evaluated under wet conditions following a 6 h immersion period. Results demonstrate that integrating nano-silica, glass fibres, and PVA increases mechanical resistance and reduces water uptake. Microscopic analysis indicates that nano-silica particles densify the POP matrix through a microfiller effect. These findings suggest that the modified POP composites exhibit improved performance for short-term moisture exposure, although further research is required to assess long-term durability in aqueous environments.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Journal of Studies in Science and Engineering is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC BY-4.0).
References
M. F. La Russa and S. A. Ruffolo, "Mortars and plasters-How to characterize mortar and plaster degradation," Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, vol. 13, no. 10, p. 165, 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-021-01405-1.
Y. Tian, Y. Wang, H. Zhang, and S. Luo, "Mechanical performance and water resistance of a carbonated hemihydrate gypsum and slaked lime composite," CeCement Lime Concrete, vol. 28, no. 6, pp. 375-388, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.32047/cwb.2023.28.6.2.
A. Khalil, A. Tawfik, and A. Hegazy, "Plaster composites modified morphology with enhanced compressive strength and water resistance characteristics," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 167, pp. 55-64, 2018, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.01.165.
N. Kazemian, S. Pakpour, A. S. Milani, and J. Klironomos, "Environmental factors influencing fungal growth on gypsum boards and their structural biodeterioration: A university campus case study," PLoS One, vol. 14, no. 8, p. e0220556, 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220556.
A. Ranesi, P. Faria, and M. d. R. Veiga, "Traditional and modern plasters for built heritage: suitability and contribution for passive relative humidity regulation," Heritage, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 2337-2355, 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4030132.
A. Ranesi, "Eco-efficient plasters for increased indoor air quality and comfort," Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (Portugal), 2023.
W. Buggakupta, K. Tounchuen, W. Panpa, and S. Jinawath, "Early production of high strength and improved water resistance gypsum mortars from used plaster mould and cullet waste," Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, vol. 32, no. 6, p. 04020116, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003179.
S. A. Ngah, B. Dams, M. P. Ansell, J. Stewart, R. Hempstead, and R. J. Ball, "Structural performance of fibrous plaster. Part 1: Physical and mechanical properties of hessian and glass fibre reinforced gypsum composites," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 259, p. 120396, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120396.
L. Bergamonti et al., "Protection of gypsum artifacts by Mg (OH) 2 based super-hydrophobic nanocomposite," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 490, p. 142532, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.142532.
C. Maraveas, "Production of sustainable construction materials using agro-wastes," Materials, vol. 13, no. 2, p. 262, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13020262.
D. K. Rajak, D. D. Pagar, R. Kumar, and C. I. Pruncu, "Recent progress of reinforcement materials: a comprehensive overview of composite materials," Journal of materials research and technology, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 6354-6374, 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2019.09.068.
N. H. Ramli Sulong, S. A. S. Mustapa, and M. K. Abdul Rashid, "Application of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in buildings and constructions: A review," Journal of Applied Polymer Science, vol. 136, no. 20, p. 47529, 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/app.47529.
S. Liu and Y. C. Shin, "Additive manufacturing of Ti6Al4V alloy: A review," Materials & Design, vol. 164, p. 107552, 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2018.107552.
L. Bergamonti et al., "New Hydrophobic Treatment for the Protection of Gypsum Artifacts," in MATEC Web of Conferences, 2024, vol. 403: EDP Sciences, p. 07014, doi: https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202440307014.
L. Charpin and A. Ehrlacher, "Microporomechanics study of anisotropy of ASR under loading," Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 63, pp. 143-157, 2014, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2014.05.009.
A. Ali and A. Andriyana, "Properties of multifunctional composite materials based on nanomaterials: a review," RSC advances, vol. 10, no. 28, pp. 16390-16403, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA10594H.
B. Ates, S. Koytepe, A. Ulu, C. Gurses, and V. K. Thakur, "Chemistry, structures, and advanced applications of nanocomposites from biorenewable resources," Chemical reviews, vol. 120, no. 17, pp. 9304-9362, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00553.
J. Chen, P. Ng, L. Xu, and A. Kwan, "Use of nano-silica sol in concrete: Performance and influence mechanisms," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 411, p. 134582, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134582.
X. Liu et al., "Enhanced early hydration and mechanical properties of cement-based materials with recycled concrete powder modified by nano-silica," Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 50, p. 104175, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104175.
W. Ahmad, M. Khan, and P. Smarzewski, "Effect of short fiber reinforcements on fracture performance of cement-based materials: A systematic review approach," Materials, vol. 14, no. 7, p. 1745, 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14071745.
Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control (COSQC), "Iraqi Standard Specifications for Gyp-sum-Based Materials," vol. 1105, ed. Baghdad, Iraq, 2018.
A. M. Said, M. S. Zeidan, M. Bassuoni, and Y. Tian, "Properties of concrete incorporating nano-silica," Construction and building materials, vol. 36, pp. 838-844, 2012, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.06.044.
A. Hakamy, "Influence of SiO2 nanoparticles on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of Portland cement nanocomposites," Journal of Taibah University for Science, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 909-917, 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/16583655.2021.2011594.
A. Bentur and S. Mindess, Fibre reinforced cementitious composites. CRC press, 2006. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781482267747
O. Gencel et al., "Glass fiber reinforced gypsum composites with microencapsulated PCM as novel building thermal energy storage material," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 340, p. 127788, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127788.
T. R. Haji and B. A. Mir, "Effect of nano-gypsum on mechanical properties cement admixed marginal silty soil," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 408, p. 133639, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.133639.
Y. He, L. Mo, Z. Mao, F. Huang, and Z. Han, "Influence of polyvinyl alcohol powder on the mechanical performance and volume stability of sulfoaluminate–portland cement composite," Crystals, vol. 11, no. 6, p. 692, 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11060692.
L. Wang, M. Cao, X. Li, W. Du, and X. Wang, "A novel approach for improving the water resistance of gypsum plaster by internal mixing hypromellose and external coating waterproofing agent," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 401, p. 132940, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132940.
G. Quercia and H. Brouwers, "Application of nano-silica (nS) in concrete mixtures," in 8th fib International Ph. D. Symposium in Civil Engineering. Lyngby, 2010, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 431-436.
A. N. Givi, S. A. Rashid, F. N. A. Aziz, and M. A. M. Salleh, "Contribution of rice husk ash to the properties of mortar and concrete: a review," Journal of American science, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 157-165, 2010.
M. T. Esan, "Review of gypsum reinforced composites as building materials," Discover Civil Engineering, vol. 1, no. 1, p. 5, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-024-00005-x.