Elaboration and Characterization of Thermal Insulating Material Based on the Synergy of Natural Coconut Husk and Disposable Diaper Pads Fibers

Abstract

Materials based on highly porous fibers are now becoming increasingly popular as thermal insulators to fight severely increasing temperatures due to climate change (Khedari, et al., 2004). In this study, fibers from solid waste materials like coconut husk and absorbent pads of used disposable diapers were evaluated for their synergistic effect as thermal insulating material. Dried coconut husk fibers and cleaned used disposable diapers were heated at 1500C-3000C for 2 hours and then molded to make pads. Scanning Electron Microscopy and HD digital microscope were used in the analytical imaging of the fibers. Fiber pads from coconut husk fibers, used disposable diapers and their combination, and polyethylene foam (+control) were evaluated for their burning rate based on ASTM D 1992 while thermal conductivity, and thermal resistance were obtained using the testing hot box (Frawley & Kennedy, 2007). The morphology of the coconut husk fibers with used disposable diapers showed thicker and rougher surface with foamy coatings which confirmed porous fiber structure. One-Factor ANOVA showed significant difference among the different set-ups for burning rate (F=926.506; p=0.000), thermal conductivity (F=203.993; p=0.000), and thermal resistance (F=197.820; p=0.000) wherein the set-up for the combination of the coconut husk fibers and used disposable diapers exhibits satisfactory burning rate (M=3.268), lowest thermal conductivity (M=0.037) and highest thermal resistance (M=0.273).The results affirm that the natural coconut husk fibers and used disposable diapers have synergistic effect for better thermal properties, thus, producing a more effective and safer thermal insulating material.