Hemp fibre composite panel (10mm, 20mm, 40mm, 50mm, 60mm)
Natural Fibre Composite
ATLAS CODE
COM-FRC-NFC-001
Category composite
Material Family Fibre-Reinforced
Regulatory Status Not specified
Density
300-400 kg/m3
Carbon (A1-A5)
Data not available
Fire Class
Not specified
Lifespan
50-100+ years (900-year-old samples found in France) yrs
Description
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.
Primary Sectors
[Residential]
Typical Uses
- 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
Recycled Content 0% (virgin agricultural material)
Renewable Content 77-85% (hemp content by volume)
Recyclability 100% (reusable as insulation or mulch)
Embodied Carbon Data not available
Embodied Energy 394 MJ/m² (260mm wall) MJ/kg
EPD Available No
Advantages
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)
Cautions
Non-structural; requires a separate structural frame (e.g., timber per AS 1684)Curing time can take around 3 months for hemp masonry (guidance)Requires vapour-permeable renders/finishes and careful detailing
TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES COM-FRC-NFC-001
Density (Dry) 300-400 kg/m3
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)
Surface Roughness Fibrous texture, Ra 50-200 μm μm
UV Resistance Good (natural lignin content provides protection)
Chemical Resistance Alkaline resistant (pH 12-13), acid sensitive
pH Tolerance 11-13 (highly alkaline)
Compressive Strength 0.09-0.57 MPa
Tensile Strength 16-58.59 MPa (composite), 270-900 MPa (individual fibres) MPa
Flexural Strength 0.7-2.5 MPa (hemp-lime) MPa
Shear Strength 0.04-0.10 MPa (hemp-lime) MPa
Elastic Modulus 1.88-8.5 GPa (composite), 23.5-90 GPa (fibres) GPa
Impact Resistance Good energy absorption through fibrous structure J/m
Bearing Capacity Non-structural application only kN/m²
Poisson's Ratio 0.35-0.4
Creep Resistance Minimal under design loads
Abrasion Resistance Moderate, requires protective render
Thermal Conductivity 0.038-0.055 W/m?K
Thermal Resistance Varies m2?K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 1250-1557 J/kg?K
Thermal Expansion Minimal, hygroscopic behaviour dominates μm/m·K
Sound Transmission Class (STC) RW 52 dB (40mm hemp-lime)
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.26-0.75 (standard), up to 1.05 (acoustic panels)
Optical
Light Transmittance 0% (opaque material) %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 65-75% (natural finish) %
Hemp masonry has historical use in Europe and has been adopted in Australia for low-impact construction. Australian guidance documents describe modern hemp?lime applications as non-structural infill around timber frames with lime renders.
SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION COM-FRC-NFC-001
Combustibility Class Not specified
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) Data not available
Embodied Energy 394 MJ/m² (260mm wall) MJ/kg
Water Footprint Low - hemp requires minimal irrigation L/kg
EPD Available No
LEED Points Materials & Resources credits MR1-7
Circular Economy Score High - fully recyclable agricultural waste product /100
VOC Emissions Significantly lower than timber products g/L
Skill Level Specialist training required
Crew Size 2-4 persons typical
Installation Time 60% faster than traditional (blocks), 40-50% faster (sprayed) hr/m²
Curing Time 28-90 days for cast-in-place hours
Setting Time Initial set 24-48 hours min
Temperature Range 5-35°C during installation °C
Humidity Range Natural hygroscopic regulation %
Required Tools
Circular saw for cutting120L pan mixer for hempcrete ($1,685)Standard timber framing toolsSpray equipment (optional, 40-50% time saving)Local exhaust ventilationScales for material proportioning
Certifications Required
Australian Hemp Masonry Company certification ($352)Hemp Block Australia Master Builder TrainingBCA-certified installer program
Weather Limitations
Requires dry conditions during installationRoof structure required for weather protectionNo freezing conditions during curing
COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY COM-FRC-NFC-001
Material Cost $109-330/m² (thickness dependent)
Installation Cost $65/m² labour + $100/m² render finish
Annual Maintenance Minimal - recoating every 10-15 years
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) Competitive when including energy savings
Market Availability Growing - multiple Australian manufacturers
Lead Time Stock to 8 weeks for large orders weeks
Design Life 50-100+ years (900-year-old samples found in France) years
Warranty Period 10-25 years typical manufacturer warranty years
Maintenance Interval Render recoating 10-15 years months
Service Temp Range -40 to +60°C °C
Freeze/Thaw Resistance Excellent through pozzolanic lime reactions
Dimensional Stability Excellent - minimal thermal movement
Standards Compliance
AS 1684 (Residential timber-framed construction) for structural frame designNCC performance solution typically required for hemp-lime wall systems
DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.