Attempt to The Valorization of Brown Algae Sargassum sp. in Cement Mortar Composites for Housing or Building Purposes

In this study, material composites composed of cement and normalized sand as matrix and brown algae Sargassum sp. as reinforcement and/or filler were prepared. When used as reinforcement, algae size was comprised between 0.4 and 1 mm at various amounts (0%, 1% and 2% wt) whereas when used as filler, algae size was lower than 0.4 mm and the content was 0 or 3 wt %. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potentiality of those materials as building materials; consequently, they have been tested after 7 and 28 days of curing by helium pycnometer, thermal conductivity and setting temperature, mechanical measurements and thermogravimetry. Results show that using brown algae Sargassum sp. as reinforcement of cement decreases by up to 23% compressive performance of matrix, it has a negative influence on thermal conductivity and almost no influence on density. Fillers seem to act as set retarder of cement and to have a synergistic effect (when combined with 2% wt of on the decrease of thermal conductivity.