Physical-mechanical properties of composites from hemp shives and starch

Abstract

Currently, the main aim is to use as little fossil resources as possible by replacing them with natural renewable resources. Generally, for the production of building composite materials, cementitious binders or various synthetic resins from fossil resousces are used. Therefore, alternative raw materials for the production of ecological building materials must be looked for. Fibre hemp shives with a starch binder can be used in order to obtain ecological building material which is friendly to human healtth, produced from renewable resources, easily recyclable or utilized at the end of life cycle. This work presents the research of physical and mechanical properties of composites from fibre hemp and starch binder. Composites are produced from crushed hemp shives and different amounts of starch binder when thermal hardening regime is applied.