Manufacture and evaluation of pressed blocks made from recycled paper for thermoacoustic insulation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21703/0718-2813.2026.39.3584Keywords:
Recycled office paper, Non-structural building materials, thermoacoustic insulation, sustainability , circular economy in constructionAbstract
This study develops an artisanal process for manufacturing pressed blocks without binders from office recycled paper, preliminarily evaluating their thermoacoustic, mechanical, and fire resistance properties. Using paper, pulp was obtained through hydration, shredding, and hydraulic pressing, followed by controlled drying.
The blocks exhibited an average density of 300 kg/m³, an estimated thermal transmittance of 0.37 W/m²·K (superior to Chilean regulations for thermal zones, U ≤ 0.80 W/m²·K), acoustic attenuation of 33 dB, flexural strength of 0.63 MPa, and fire behavior with superficial carbonization without propagation, collapsing after 28 minutes of direct exposure. These results position the blocks as an ecological and low-cost alternative for non-structural insulation, promoting the circular economy associated with cellulosic waste.
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