ABSTRACT
Vegetable fibres are presented as alternative reinforcement for low-cost construction materials therefore they have been studied in several countries, mainly from the Third World. This paper presents the study of malva (Urena lobata Linn.) fibre used as reinforcement of an alkaline matrix. It aims is to evaluate the composite behaviour with time. The behaviour of composites prepared with fibres submitted to treatment with simple washing (with ordinary washing-up liquid) and impregnated with linseed-oil is presented and their results are compared with composite obtained with untreated fibre. The final discussions are based on the results of tensile and impact strengths of the composites. Keywords: Malva Fibres, Vegetable Fibres, Durability, Fibre Reinforced Mortar, Fibrecement.
