Building Thermal Insulation—Biodegradable Sugarcane and Coconut Fiber

Abstract

Apparent thermal conductivity, Λ, measurements were conducted on sugarcane and coconut fiber specimens using LaserComp “FOX 304” and Holometrix “Rapid-k” heat-flow meters. Both heat-flow meters were built and operated in accordance with ASTM C 518. The Λ measurements for sugarcane and coconut fiber were investigated over the density ranges 70 to 120 kg/m3 and 40 to 90 kg/m3 over the mean test temperature ranges 18 to 32°C and 13.2 to 21.8°C, respectively. The experimental results for sugarcane and coconut fiber indicated the general trend associated with that of loose-fill thermal insulation. Using the Method of Least Squares, empirical relationships for calculating Λ. as a function of temperature and density for sugarcane and coconut fiber were developed. The percentage deviation of the measured apparent thermal conductivities from the empirical relation ships was less than ±3% for both sugarcane and coconut fiber. The results indicated that sugarcane and coconut fiber show minimum Λ at 100 kg/m3 and 80 kg/m3, respectively. The minimum Λ vary with temperature and ranged from 0.046 W/m.K to 0.049 W/m·K and 0.048 W/m·K to 0.049 W/m·K, respectively. The minimum apparent thermal conductivities of both sugarcane and coconut fiber are within the range of those normally associated with building thermal insulation.