A comprehensive overview of fibre-reinforced gypsum-based composites (FRGCs) in the construction field

Gypsum-based composites (GCs) have been widely used in interior linings such as walls and ceilings due to their unique advantages including low cost, good habitability, and good fire resistance. The existence of many gypsum resources such as natural gypsum (NG) and industrial gypsum by-products ensure that GCs are very popular. The main weaknesses of GCs, especially those originating from industrial gypsum by-products, are brittleness, inferior mechanical properties, and low water resistance, which limit their further applications. Extensive studies have used fibres to enhance the performance of GCs. Fibre-reinforced gypsum-based composites (FRGCs) show excellent comprehensive performance and have wider marketability as building materials, which is beneficial for accelerating the utilization of gypsum by-products and creates many economic and environmental benefits. This paper reviews previous studies of GCs reinforced with fibres and summarizes, reviews, and discusses the sources and properties of gypsum and fibres, the pretreatments of fibres to improve their adhesion with the matrix, the effect of fibres on some properties of FRGCs, the application of FRGCs in three-dimensional (3D) printing and the challenges for further research. This review provides a foundation and guide for future studies and uses of FRGCs.