Development of cork–gypsum composites for building applications

This paper presents an experimental analysis on a new composite material, cork]gypsum composite. It is shown that cork and plaster are mutually compatible and that a lot of new building materials can be made by mixing those materials in different volume fractions. Mechanical properties of the cork]gypsum composite have been measured. The acoustic absorption coefficient and thermal conductivity of this new composite have also been experimentally obtained and those values are reported for design purposes. Concerning the acoustical insulation characteristics, this composite is not a sound-absorbing material but a reflecting one, and it needs some kind of perforations to behave as an absorbing construction material for sound and noise. The thermal insulation properties are quite good as a result of the thermal conductivity tests. This new composite material is suggested for use in building applications as partitions.