Prickly pear builds case for low-carbon reinforcement for construction materials
The honeycomb network inside the cacti could have potential in lightweight cladding and non-load-bearing wall panels.
The research collaboration, led by the University of Catania in Sicily, Italy, and which also includes the University of Bath, UK, has explored how to borrow the natural properties of the flat cactus pads to reinforce bio-based composites.
Turning the cactus waste into a viable construction material relies on separating the usable woody fibres without damaging their natural honeycomb-like structure, which helps the plant support its own weight and resist bending in strong winds.
After comparing two extraction techniques – water retting and changing water pressures to flush out soft plant material – they found the former produces cleaner and stronger fibres with fewer unwanted residues that could weaken the final product.
When they mix the extracted materials into plastics, the researchers report the cactus fibres make the resulting composites noticeably stiffer and stronger than either component on its own.
Analysis shows the composites could perform well at the temperatures used in low-heating manufacturing, but would not be suitable for very high-temperature or high-stress applications.
Further research will explore how these fibres bond with common construction polymers and will measure their full mechanical performance when pulled or bent.
