Search results

Search:
in the keywords: Coconut husk

Sort By:

Limit search:

The Potential of Selected Agricultural Wastes Fibers as Acoustic Absorber and Thermal Insulator Based on their Surface Morphology via Scanning Electron Microscopy

100%

Mercado R. D. T., Ureta R. M., Templo R. J. D.

World News of Natural Sciences

2018

vol. 20

129-147

Natural fibrous materials have been studied to address noise and high heat indices, but many of the existing studies about natural fibers do not sufficiently support their claims of better acoustical and heat insulating materials. Thus, this study investigated the surface morphology of easily available agricultural materials such as coconut husks, banana pseudostem and sugarcane husk for their potential as sound absorbers and thermal insulators. Fiber pads from the materials were constructed and analyzed for noise reduction coefficients, thermal insulating performance, water absorbing capacity and flame tolerance - using the methods specified in the American Society for Testing Materials. Herein, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied for analytical imaging of the agricultural materials. Noise reduction coefficients (0.80 dB and 0.92 dB), (0.75d B and 0.78 dB) and (0.50 dB and 0.35 dB) each at 800 Hz and 440 Hz, and heat reductions of 2.56 °C, 1.71 °C, and 1.24 °C were obtained from coconut husk, sugarcane husk and banana pseudostem, respectively. The coconut husk also gave the highest water absorbing capacity and high flame tolerance of 56%, compared to that of sugarcane husk (49%) and banana pseudostem (32.67%). The morphology of the coconut husk, after SEM application revealed more diverse microporous cells with varying shapes and sizes compared to that of sugarcane husk and banana pseudostem. Thus, results indicate that porosity affects the noise and heat reduction indices of the fibers. The more porous the material is, the better its potential as sound absorber and thermal insulator.

Refine search results

1 World News of Natural Sciences

1 2018

1 Mercado R. D. T.

1 Templo R. J. D.

1 Ureta R. M.

Search results

The Potential of Selected Agricultural Wastes Fibers as Acoustic Absorber and Thermal Insulator Based on their Surface Morphology via Scanning Electron Microscopy