THE PERFORMANCE OF MADRE DE CACAO (GLIRICIDIA SEPIUM) FIBER AS WOOD FIBER INSULATION BOARD

Abstract

This study focuses on examining the performance of Madre de Cacao as wood fiber insulation board. Madre de Cacao is a fast-growing tree growing to various regions, including Davao City. The utilization of Madre de Cacao fiber has potential in providing environmentally friendly solution by using a renewable resource that would otherwise go to waste or rejected. A natural fiber is derived from the Madre de Cacao tree, scientifically known as Gliricidia Sepium. This study aims to investigate the performance of Madre de Cacao fiber as a wood fiber insulation board specifically its’ thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, flammability, modulus of elasticity and rupture. Madre de Cacao are collected from the field. Barks are separated after cutting down the trees. Barks are soaked in a container for 3 weeks and washed thoroughly until the fibers are out and dried. In its dry state, the epoxy resin is poured gradually in a form of 150mm x 300mm x 8mm fiber board. There are 5 different mixtures (M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, & M-5) comprising different amount of resin and fiber. The use of resin in the combination will produces a High-Density Fiber Board. Major qualities of an insulation board were tested to measure the performance of the Madre de Cacao Fiber Board. These tests include Thermal Conductivity Test (ASTM C411), Flammability Test (ASTM E84), Modulus of Elasticity, and Modulus of Rupture Test (ASTM C356). For thermal conductivity, a scaled room where 5 different mixture of Madre de Cacao Fiber insulation, PE insulation is applied and the other room is un insulation has become a way measure the differences in temperature. Temperatures are recorded between 12PM-1PM and 3PM-4PM. M-3 has the lowest recorded temperature among the 5 mixtures. the Results showed that the room insulated with Madre de Cacao Fiber has a lower temperature than the PE Insulation. For flammability, 5 samples are exposed to fire for 1 minute. Weight loss and burned areas are tallied. The results from M1 to M5 are 22.96, 26.24, 29.52, 45.92, and 78.72. Only M5 has reached Class C which mean this mixture can ignite fire and spread fast. For Modulus of Elasticity, the 5 samples carried a loading bar with 4.5kg increment and deformation are recorded. M-4 and M-5 have MOE of 2.4GPa and 1.8GPa and fails to meet ISO 8335-1987 standard while the rest passed of the mixture have passed. For Modulus of Rupture, 5 samples were taken to QSTI for compressive strength test. All the mixtures have satisfied ISO 8335-1987 standard. Among the five mixtures. M-3 is the most optimum and recommended mixture. Therefore, Madre v de Cacao Fiber can be recognized as an effective alternative for wood fiber insulation board. Keywords: Madre de Cacao, Wood Fiber Insulation, Gliricidia Sepium, Thermal Conductivity, Elasticity, Flame Spread Index SDG Indicator: #9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)