The application of natural fibers obtained from the mixtures of coconut meal corncobs in cement-bonded fiberboard

Abstract

This research aims to study the application of coconut meal and corncob fiber as high density cement-bonded fiberboard. The cement: fine sand: coconut meal and corncob fiber: water: cement setting accelerator (aluminium sulphate (Al2(SO4)3), calcium chloride (CaCl2), sodium silicate (Na2SiO3)) ratio is equal to 1: 0.2: 0.05: 0.3: 0.03 by weight. The fibers are taken from coconut meal: corncob that 5 ratios are used following: 0.0500: 0 (CN0), 0.0375: 0.0125 (CN25), 0.0250: 0.0250 (CN50), 0.0125: 0.0375 (CN75), and 0: 0.0500 (CN100) by weight. 12% of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) was used to modify the fibers by using 1: 10 of fiber: solution and boiling 100 degree of Celsius (1-3 hours). The fiberboard production use pressure casting in normal temperature (30 – 35 degree of Celsius) and 0.75 g/cm3 of density. Resulting, the CN75 ratio is suitable ratio which pass TIS 878-2537 standard (cement bonded particle board: high density) and has good physical properties, mechanical properties, and thermal insulation. The most suitable cement setting accelerator is calcium chloride (CaCl2).