Thai Cultivated Banana Fibers as The Sustainable Sound and Heat Insulation Materials

Abstract

This study was aimed to develop on the sound absorber and the heat insulator derived from natural fiber (cultivated banana fiber) to be an alternative way. Normally, the community consume this equipment derived from synthetic materials (asbestos and fiberglass) which cause of the negative human health. The process of specimen preparation was started by the banana stem cutting-off step to prepare banana fibers which had been determined to slit of 2-3 mm fiber diameter by cutter and then dehydrated on these banana fibers. Eventually, a high-speed of grinder was applied to mill these fibers and then the 30 US MESH size of filter was utilized to 0.6 mm reducing fiber length. Therefrom, this cultivated banana fiber was prepared to test on Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) and Thermal Conductivity (TC) according to various factors: (1) banana fiber-gypsum ratio on 2:8 and 3:7 by weight, (2) banana fiber length of 0.6 mm and (3) 25.0 mm thickness of each specimen. These experiments were determined on the NRC value based on ISO10534-2 standard at frequency range 250-4,000 Hertz and the TC value based on ASTM C518 standard. In addition, the structural and scattering images of banana fiber and surface were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The NRC result showed as 0.52 of banana fiber specimen in the length of 0.6 mm and banana fiber-gypsum ratio on 3:7 by weight that appeared more porosity and space area. Likewise, the TC result was found at 0.063 W/m.K. Consequently, this local natural material prepared by cultivated banana fiber was proven effective in noise reducing and heat-insulating purposes for Thailand’s community.