Preparation and Characterization of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Sodium Silicate/Gypsum Composites Using Electron Beam as Hydrophobic and Mechanically Enhanced Materials for Decorative Applications

The present study explores how traditional gypsum materials can be enhanced to improve their durability, workability and visual stability with the overarching goal of developing a low-cost alternative to commercial gypsum boards. The effects of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), sodium silicate (SS), and electron-beam (EB) irradiation on the gypsum composite’s development and performance were studied. The mechanical and surface properties (e.g. improved compressive strength, hardness of the surface, and hydrophobicity) of the prepared composites were dramatically increased using optimized formulations. Gypsum composites with diverse proportions of PVA and SS were made and exposed to diverse doses of EB irradiation. The most successful formulation was 90% PVA: 10% SS with 100 phr gypsum that had been irradiated at 15 kGy, with its curing time of about 7.7 minutes. FTIR, XRD, surface hardness test, and contact-angle measurements were then used in the optimized composite characterization. The composites also retained a significant percentage of their mechanical properties after additional exposure to ionizing-radiation, indicating great potential as long-lasting decorative materials. Such an intelligent compound is superior to conventional gypsum board in terms of hydrophobicity, mechanical performance, and cost-effectiveness, so it can be used with promising applicability in medical.