Sustainable Waste-to-Wealth Innovation Exploring the Potential of Binderless Paper-Based Composite Boards as Ceilings for Building Construction

In this research, binderless paper-based composite boards were fabricated from waste papers and then assessed experimentally for their suitability as ceiling materials in building construction. During the process, waste newspaper paste (WNP) and waste writing paper paste (WWP) were prepared and used at varying percentages (0, 30, 50, 70, and 100%) on weight basis to develop the ceiling samples. Three samples were prepared for each mix design, dried to constant weight, and characterized in terms of physical properties, thermal responses, and strength behaviors. The results showed maximum bulk density (587.0 kgm-3), thermal conductivity (0.0835 Wm-1K-1), thermal diffusivity (10.56 x10-8 m2s-1), flexural strength (1.318 N/mm2), and internal bond strength (0.214 N/mm2) at 100.0% loading of the WWP. Though nailability remained 100.0% notwithstanding the composite mixes, the samples recorded the highest thickness swelling (26.89%), void fraction (49.92%), and specific heat capacity (1429 Jkg-1K-1) as the proportion of the WNP increased to 100.0%. Further, it was found that these WNP-WWP samples could outperform conventional ceilings such as plaster of Paris, asbestos, and KalsiCeil. The undertaking described herein can ensure reduction in production time since no adhesive is required, thus benefiting both the environment and economy while availing the building sector with cost-effective and sustainable ceilings for building construction. The knowledge from this research could help in solving the disposal problems associated with waste papers and also tackling hampering of sustainable housing development due to high cost of building construction materials.