ARTICLE
Effect of amorphous silica on the mechanical properties and fire resistance of gypsum board
This study aims to investigate the influence of amorphous silica on the mechanical properties and fire resistance of gypsum boards, as well as the water-to-gypsum ratio and setting time of gypsum. The results indicate that amorphous silica has a negligible impact on the water-to-gypsum ratio and setting time of gypsum, while it can enhance the mechanical properties and fire resistance to some extent. With the incorporation of 4 wt% amorphous silica, the breaking load of the gypsum board parallel to the long side increases from 311 N to 324 N, while the breaking load perpendicular to the long side rises from 622 N to 682 N. The edge hardness of the gypsum board increases from 116 N to 136 N, while the end hardness rises from 143 N to 165 N. In addition, the fire stability of the gypsum boards is also clearly enhanced, with the fire resistance time increasing from 326 min to approximately 520 min at 800°C. This is attributed to the filling of amorphous silica particles between gypsum crystals, which inhibits crack propagation of the gypsum board under stress. In addition, under elevated temperature conditions, amorphous silica undergoes sintering, transforms from amorphous to crystalline, compensates for shrinkage, and improves the fire resistance of the gypsum board.
REFERENCES
1. Jiang ZY, Sun XP, Luo YQ, Fu XL, Xu A, Bi YZ. Recycling, reusing and environmental safety of industrial by-product gypsum in construction and building materials. Constr Build Mater. 2024;432:136609. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136609.
2. Aakriti, Maiti S, Jain N, Malik J. A comprehensive review of flue gas desulphurized gypsum: production, properties, and applications. Constr Build Mater. 2023;393(2):131918. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131918.
3. Haba B, Benali F, Jawaid M, Leão AL. A review on gypsum-based composites reinforced with palm fibers in construction applications. Int J Thermophys. 2022;43(11):164. doi:10.1007/s10765-022-03086-x.
4. Karni J, Karni E. Gypsum in construction: origin and properties. Mater Struct. 1995;28(2):92–100. doi:10.1007/BF02473176.
5. Álvarez M, Santos P, Ferrández D. Investigation of gypsum composites with different lightweight fillers: a physico-mechanical characterisation regarding possibilities for building applications. J Build Eng. 2023;79(3):107813. doi:10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107813.
6. Xu Z, Yu H, Jia M, Liu Y, Yang Y. Enhancing mechanical properties of cementitious composites by boron nitride nanosheets modified carbon fiber. Cem Concr Compos. 2024;153:105685. doi:10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2024.105685.
7. Li P, Liu J, Suh H, Im S, Piao T, Nezhad EZ, et al. Graphene nanoribbons: a novel additive for enhancing the fire resistance of cementitious composites. Constr Build Mater. 2024;426(1):136057. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136057.
8. Yang J, Kang H, Yang J, Pae J, Shi C, Moon J. Enhancing fire resistance of lightweight high-performance cementitious composites using hollow microspheres. Cem Concr Compos. 2025;155(1):105845. doi:10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2024.105845.
9. Agossou OG, Amziane S. Analysis of mechanical and thermal performance and environmental impact of flax-fiber-reinforced gypsum boards. Buildings. 2023;13(12):3098. doi:10.3390/buildings13123098.
10. Pang SJ, Ahn KS, Oh JW, Lee HS, Kang SG, Oh JK. Fire resistance of structural wooden walls covered by gypsum and diatomite board. BioResources. 2023;18(1):991–1007. doi:10.15376/biores.18.1.991-1007.
11. Kolaitis DI, Founti MA. Development of a solid reaction kinetics gypsum dehydration model appropriate for CFD simulation of gypsum plasterboard wall assemblies exposed to fire. Fire Saf J. 2013;58:151–9. doi:10.1016/j.firesaf.2013.01.029.
12. Vidales-Barriguete A, Santa-Cruz-Astorqui J, Piña-Ramírez C, Kosior-Kazberuk M, Kalinowska-Wichrowska K, Atanes-Sánchez E. Study of the mechanical and physical behavior of gypsum boards with plastic cable waste aggregates and their application to construction panels. Materials. 2021;14(9):2255. doi:10.3390/ma14092255.
13. Baux C, Mélinge Y, Lanos C, Jauberthie R. Enhanced gypsum panels for fire protection. J Mater Civ Eng. 2008;20(1):71–7. doi:10.1061/(asce)0899-1561(2008)20:1(71).
14. Gencel O, del Coz Diaz JJ, Sutcu M, Koksal F, Alvarez Rabanal FP, Martinez-Barrera G, et al. Properties of gypsum composites containing vermiculite and polypropylene fibers: numerical and experimental results. Energy Build. 2014;70(12):135–44. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.11.047.
15. Li X, Yu T, Park SJ, Kim YH. Reinforcing effects of gypsum composite with basalt fiber and diatomite for improvement of high-temperature endurance. Constr Build Mater. 2022;325(1):126762. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126762.
16. Wang S, Pancheti J, Xi Y, Mahendran M. Lightweight composite gypsum boards with clay mineral and glass fibre for enhanced fire-resistance. Compos Part B Eng. 2023;266(8):111044. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2023.111044.
17. Doleželová M, Krejsová J, Vimmrová A. Structure and properties of the gypsum mortar with silica sand under temperature load. Int J Thermophys. 2022;43(6):93. doi:10.1007/s10765-022-03021-0.
18. Li Z, Wang X, Yan W, Ding L, Liu J, Wu Z, et al. Physical and mechanical properties of gypsum-based composites reinforced with basalt, glass, and PVA fibers. J Build Eng. 2023;64(7):105640. doi:10.1016/j.jobe.2022.105640.
19. Wu D, Jing L, Peng S, Jing W. A study on the mechanical properties of glass-fiber-reinforced defective gypsum boards. Sustainability. 2024;16(2):821. doi:10.3390/su16020821.
20. Hošt’tálková M, Vavrˇ ínová N, Longauerová V. Mechanical properties of the gypsum composite reinforcement with wooden fibers. Int Rev Appl Sci Eng. 2019;10(1):15–21. doi:10.1556/1848.2019.0003.
21. Buettner N, Iyacu G, Akono AT. Colloidal nanosilica promotes high-density calcium-silicate-hydrates in fine recycled concrete aggregate mortar. Cem Concr Res. 2024;180(5):107498. doi:10.1016/j.cemconres.2024.107498.
22. Shi B, Xie L, Ma B, Zhou Z, Xu B, Qu L. Preparation and properties of highly transparent SiO2 aerogels for thermal insulation. Gels. 2022;8(11):744. doi:10.3390/gels8110744.
23. Wang W, Wang B. Study on the influence of nano-silica substitution of reactive Si on the properties and hydration process of alkali-activated cementitious materials paste. Constr Build Mater. 2024;443:137759. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.137759.
24. Li J, Cao J, Ren Q, Ding Y, Zhu H, Xiong C, et al. Effect of nano-silica and silicone oil paraffin emulsion composite waterproofing agent on the water resistance of flue gas desulfurization gypsum. Constr Build Mater. 2021;287(8):123055. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123055.
25. Douba A, Hou P, Kawashima S. Hydration and mechanical properties of high content nano-coated cements with nano-silica, clay and calcium carbonate. Cem Concr Res. 2023;168:107132. doi:10.1016/j.cemconres.2023.107132.
26. Snehal K, Das B, Barbhuiya S. Influence of aggressive exposure on the degradation of nano-silica admixed cementitious mortar integrated with phase change materials. Constr Build Mater. 2022;335(1):127467. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127467.
27. Li Y, Dong M, Song W, Liang X, Chen Y, Liu Y. Preparation and characterization of paraffin/mesoporous silica shape-stabilized phase change materials for building thermal insulation. Materials. 2021;14(7):1775. doi:10.3390/ma14071775.
28. Vaz-Ramos J, Santiago A, Portugal A, Durães L. Synthesis of silica nanoparticles to enhance the fire resistance of cement mortars. Fire Res. 2019;3(1):44–8. doi:10.4081/fire.2019.77.
29. Najeeb Z, Ali Mosaberpanah M. Mechanical and durability properties of modified high-performance mortar by using cenospheres and nano-silica. Constr Build Mater. 2023;362(3):129782. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129782.
30. Heikal M, Abd El Aleem S, Morsi W. Durability of composite cements containing granulated blast-furnace slag and silica nano-particles. Indian J Eng Mater S. 2016;23:88–100.
31. Park C, Lee J, Kim T. A Study on the fire resistance performance of mortars using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and PVA fibers. J Korean Geosynth So. 2023;22:51.
Cite This Article
APA Style
Zhang, X., Liu, W., Yan, Y., Li, F., Cui, S. et al. (2026). Effect of amorphous silica on the mechanical properties and fire resistance of gypsum board. ZKG International, 79(5), 71–80. https://doi.org/10.32604/zkg.2026.079075
Vancouver Style
Zhang X, Liu W, Yan Y, Li F, Cui S, Yao Y et al. Effect of amorphous silica on the mechanical properties and fire resistance of gypsum board. ZKG Int.. 2026;79(5):71–80. https://doi.org/10.32604/zkg.2026.079075
IEEE Style
X. Zhang et al., “Effect of amorphous silica on the mechanical properties and fire resistance of gypsum board,” ZKG Int., vol. 79, no. 5, pp. 71–80, 2026. https://doi.org/10.32604/zkg.2026.079075
