Green cork-based innovative resilient and insulating materials: Acoustic, thermal, and mechanical characterization

Nowadays, efficient thermal insulation is a principal requirement for buildings and, accordingly, huge amounts of insulators are applied in the constructions, particularly for external walls, radiant floor, etc. Acoustic insulation is another of the most stringent parameters to be taken into account both in the construction of new buildings or their rejuvenation in order to obtain good internal comfort. On the other hand, the use of bio-derived construction materials is gaining stronger and stronger interest. Cork has a low density (120–240 kg m3) and can be regarded as a hydrophobic and viscoelastic material, with good thermal and acoustic insulation properties. With respect to wood, it presents good resistance to microbial activity and water. Last but not least is the negative carbon fingerprint of cork-based materials. Here we will describe a new class of polymer—inorganic oxides—cork composites that feature enhanced thermal and acoustic properties with respect to traditional commercial composites and maintain, at the same time, all the favorable properties of conventional cork-base composites.