composite / Fibre-Reinforced / Natural Fibre Composite
Hemp fibre composite panel (10mm, 20mm, 40mm, 50mm, 60mm)
Bio-based hemp?lime panels used as non-structural infill/insulation around timber frames. Typical density ~300?400 kg/m3 and thermal conductivity ~0.038?0.055 W/m?K (mix dependent).
Atlas code
COM-FRC-NFC-001
At-a-glance signals
Bio-based hemp?lime panels used as non-structural infill/insulation around timber frames. Typical density ~300?400 kg/m3 and thermal conductivity ~0.038?0.055 W/m?K (mix dependent).
Overview
Executive summary
Hemp fibre composite (hemp?lime/hempcrete) panels are bio-based composites made from hemp hurd, lime binder and water; sand may be added depending on mix. Australian guidance notes hemp masonry is installed around a structural timber frame (AS 1684) and uses breathable external renders. Studies report hemp?lime composites with low density (~300?400 kg/m3) and thermal conductivity in the range 0.038?0.055 W/m?K, depending on compaction and mix design.
Best when…
- Breathable material that helps regulate internal humidity (vapour permeable finishes)
- Low thermal conductivity (0.038?0.055 W/m?K, mix dependent)
- Bio-based material with low embodied impact potential (verify with supplier LCA)
Top advantages
- 01 Breathable material that helps regulate internal humidity (vapour permeable finishes)
- 02 Low thermal conductivity (0.038?0.055 W/m?K, mix dependent)
- 03 Bio-based material with low embodied impact potential (verify with supplier LCA)
Top limitations
- 01 Non-structural; requires a separate structural frame (e.g., timber per AS 1684)
- 02 Curing time can take around 3 months for hemp masonry (guidance)
- 03 Requires vapour-permeable renders/finishes and careful detailing
Technical
Physical ·9
- Density
- 300-400 kg/m3 Hemp?lime composite bulk density range from published study.
- Specific gravity
- 0.2-0.5 (hemp-lime), 0.4-1.2 (hemp-polymer)
- Porosity
- 68-84.3% by volume %
- Water absorption
- 15-45% by mass (24-hour immersion) %
- Hardness
- Shore D 15-35 (hemp-polymer composites)
- UV resistance
- Good (natural lignin content provides protection)
- Chemical resistance
- Alkaline resistant (pH 12-13), acid sensitive
- pH tolerance
- 11-13 (highly alkaline)
- Surface roughness
- Fibrous texture, Ra 50-200 μm µm
Mechanical ·7
- Tensile strength
- 16-58.59 MPa (composite), 270-900 MPa (individual fibres) MPa
- Compressive strength
- 0.09-0.57 MPa Insulating hemp?lime composite study range (mix dependent).
- Flexural strength
- 0.7-2.5 MPa (hemp-lime) MPa
- Shear strength
- 0.04-0.10 MPa (hemp-lime) MPa
- Poisson's ratio
- 0.35-0.4
- Impact resistance
- Good energy absorption through fibrous structure
- Creep resistance
- Minimal under design loads
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·7
- Embodied carbon
- Data not available Product-specific LCA/EPD required.
- Carbon footprint
- -1.6 to -79 kg CO2-eq/m² (carbon negative)
- Embodied energy
- 394 MJ/m² (260mm wall) MJ/kg
- Water footprint
- Low - hemp requires minimal irrigation L/kg
- Recycled content
- 0% (virgin agricultural material) %
- Renewable content
- 77-85% (hemp content by volume) %
- Circular score
- High - fully recyclable agricultural waste product
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·1
- Combustibility class
- Combustible (organic hemp fibre content) Combustible per AS 1530.1 due to organic hemp fibre content. Fire resistance may be achieved in system assemblies depending on thickness and binder type. Hemp-lime composites show self-extinguishing behaviour but do not pass AS 1530.1 non-combustibility test.
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·6
- Material cost (range)
- $109-330/m² (thickness dependent)
- Material cost (per unit)
- $109/m² (80mm), $164/m² (140mm), $219/m² (200mm), $330/m² (300mm)
- Lead time
- Stock to 8 weeks for large orders
- Lifecycle cost
- Competitive when including energy savings
- Annual maintenance
- Minimal - recoating every 10-15 years
- Market availability
- Growing - multiple Australian manufacturers
Service life & durability ·3
- Expected lifespan
- 50-100+ years (900-year-old samples found in France)
- Maintenance interval
- Render recoating 10-15 years
- Warranty period
- 10-25 years typical manufacturer warranty
Layer D
Where it's used
Non-structural wall infill systems
Internal partition walls
External cladding with render finish
Roof insulation panels
Acoustic absorption panels
Retrofit insulation for existing buildings
Prefabricated panel construction
Heritage building restoration
Bushfire-resistant construction (BAL FZ rated)
Passive house certified buildings