Effect of Thickness and Pressing Time on the Properties of Fiber Insulation Boards of Spent Biomass of Lemon Grass

Abstract

Insulation boards of three thicknesses, of dimension 90 x 30 cm were prepared using spent biomass of lemon grass. Boards were given contact pressure under hot press, at 150 -165°C temperatures, for 50-60 minutes. The boards were tested for density, water absorption, transverse strength and sound absorption. Densities of insulation boards of the three thicknesses were not significantly different. Average transverse strength of test samples for the three thicknesses (T1, T2, and T3) ranged from 12.60 kg/cm2 to 37 kg/cm2 .T1(21 mm)board had higher strength than T2 (27 mm) and T3 (30 mm) boards. The sound absorption increased with increase in thickness of board. The sound absorption coefficient of the boards ranged from 0.67 to 0.84 at 512 Hz and 1024 Hz frequencies. Numerically, the sound absorption value was higher for insulation board of higher thickness.