Value addition for coir fiber as thermal insulation materials

Abstract

The use of biodegradable natural fibres as thermal insulation material benefits to achieve a sustainable living condition. Aim of this study was to evaluate the use of coir fibre as a thermal insulation material. Sri Lanka is a largest producer of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.). Coconut crops generate several waste, including coir fibre. The main use of coir fibre is as a fibre material in mattress, ropes and brushes industries. In this work, composites were produced exclusively by coir fibre with an addition of latex, coir pith and then along. The composites developed were tested for their thermal conductivities to evaluate the performances first with thermal conductivity apparatus and then with a specially designed arrangement. Five samples of each composite were tested and their thermal conductivities were averaged with an error. The experimental results showed that the thermal conductivity of coir composite was comparable with the value of glass wool which is frequently being used as a thermal insulator. These results shows a potential to use coir fibre as a thermal insulation material in the form of composite.