Thermal insulating material for ceiling based on the synergy of natural corn husks and sap-containing absorbent pad fibers

Abstract

Insulating materials or insulators are materials that lessen or stop the flow of heat through them. Corn husks (CH) were recognized as suitable thermal insulators because they showed outstanding potential for thermal characteristics. Absorbent pads contain superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) called Sodium Polyacrylate that can store 600 times their weight in water and, merged with various porous fibers, may have a synergistic effect on improved thermal resistance. This study aims for the corn husk mixed with an absorbent pad, which may be utilized as a thermal insulation medium. The ratios between absorbent pads and corn husk are 30g AP: 30g CH for 1:1, 20g AP: 40g CH for 1:2, and 40g AP: 20g for 2:1. Procedure of thermal conductivity and resistance, burning rate, and tensile strength are based on the Thermal Testing of Building Insulation Materials by Frawley and Kennedy, ASTM-D1929, and ASTM-D3039, respectively. Results from the study show that the 1:2 ratio has the lowest thermal conductivity (0.533 W/mK), highest thermal resistance (0.465 K/W), and lowest burning rate (1.26 in/min) among the three specimens. In contrast, the 1:1 ratio shows the highest tensile strength. The study's findings show that among the three different specimen ratios, the thermal insulating material composed of 20g of the absorbent pad and 40g of corn husk offers the best thermal properties compared to others.