Assessment of Plant Origin By-Products as Lightweight Aggregates for Bio-Composite Bounded by Starch Binder

Abstract

Thermal insulation bio-composites made of plant origin by-products as bio-aggregates are one of the ways to decrease the impact of the building and construction sector on CO2 emissions. In this study, three bio-aggregates were analysed for their potential use in the production of bio-composites with potato starch binder. Technologically important properties, such as particle size, shape and compacted bulk density, as well as properties of the resulting bio-composites were identified. The main characteristics of the aggregates are relatively similar: density of 80–100 kg/m3, thermal conductivity of 0.042–0.045 W/m∙K, specific heat capacity of 1240–1330 J/g∙K, kinetic water absorption from 456–584%. This leads to similar basic properties of the produced bio-composites: density around 200 kg/m3, thermal conductivity 0.053–0.062 W/m∙K, specific heat capacity 1250–1450 J/kg∙K, with a difference in compressive strength ranging from 0.2 to 0.8 MPa. Created starch binder and agricultural by-product filler materials could be used in the production of boards where strength is required, for example, envelope and wind barrier boards, and thermal insulation boards under floors.