project: Coir particleboard

Abstract

The abundance of coconut coir in the South Asian subcontinent opens an alternative to the commercially available wood-chip particleboards that are gradually increasing pressure on natural carbon sinks or forest resources with the increase of interior applications (furniture, cabinetry, ceiling, floor etc). The present study aims to analyze the fabrication process of medium density particle boards using widely available indigenous agricultural waste: coconut coir and analyze the mechanical properties of the fabricated boards to determine its potential as a competitor or substitute for commercial boards. For low cost fabrication, only coconut coir and binder (urea formaldehyde) resin have been used as the raw materials while maintaining parametric variations such as: the percentage of urea formaldehyde resin and coarse layer to fine layer ratio. Mechanical properties such as tensile, compression, screw withdrawal strength, thickness swelling, water absorption, show satisfactory mechanical strength which varies slightly depending on the amount of resin percentage or coarse to fine layer mass ratio. Experimental analysis shows optimum strength for 10% resin (wt) and 80%-20% coarse to fine layer mass ratio. The mechanical properties of the fabricated particleboards and the production cost indicates that medium density coconut coir particleboards are suitable substitutes for commercially available boards. In addition to that, these medium density boards ensure waste management as well as reduction in pressure on forest resources.

• From Left: 3D design of the mold, Tensile test, Water Absorption and Thickness Swelling test

• Variation of Water Absorption and Thickness Swelling