CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Within a broad research from online and any physical research medium

for this content, numbers of cited literatures have input to provide background

information for the possibility of this study to attain the main aim. The entire

provided previous study of this chapter has no direct relation or replicated ideas

to the main study.

This chapter presents a review of related literature and studies and some

important principle that will provide a foundation and insights for the feasibility of

the provided materials for study as thermal and acoustic insulation.

Related Foreign Literature

Some major plus points about natural fibers are that they are relatively

inexpensive, easy to process and renewable. They have a reduced carbon

footprint and enhanced recovery at the end of the lifecycle. (T. Aravinthan, 2010)

Materials based on natural fibers from renewable raw material resources

are now becoming increasingly popular. Due to its low mass density and cell

structure, they show very good sound and thermal insulation properties, often

better and more advantageous than synthetic fibers. A great advantage of the

insulation based on natural fibers is not only a low value of thermal conductivity

but also the natural character of input fibers. Another advantage is that it is a
renewable material which does not place any significant strain on the

environment. (JiříZacha et. al., 2013)

On the downside, the major chemical constituents of natural fibers contain

hydroxy and other oxygen containing groups that attract to moisture hydrogen

bonding (C. M. Lemons, 2005) and by this circumstance (missing information)

from their study about (missing information) stated that this is one of the major

conflict in fabrication and in the performance of the end product. Hence, the

materials have possible and available treatment to avoid any kind of degradation

and also for enhancement of its properties.

Sound Absorption ability of Natural Fiber

Porous absorptive materials are the best known of the acoustical

absorbers. They are usually fuzzy, fibrous materials, foams, fabrics, carpets,

cushions, etc. In all of these materials, absorption occurs by causing the sound

waves to activate the motion of the fibers, membranes and the air in the spaces

surrounding the fibers and voids. Frictional energy losses the generate heat,

which is dissipated, thereby reducing acoustic energy. (David A. Harris, 1991)

Extra absorption in the room where the noise is will reduce the intensity of

the reverberant sound, and thus help the sound insulation. But the reduction in

intensity that this achieves is small compared with the potential reduction of

sound insulation. In other words, extra sound absorption is no substitute for

adequate sound insulation. (J.R. Cowell et, al., 1969)

 In addition, mass is one the most effective approach for soundproofing. All

solid materials that are thick or massive can block sound specially any airborne

sounds such as voices. However, if you want complete sound isolation, it is best

to combine these two types of materials; they work best together. (Soundproof

living blog, 2019)

According to the school of engineering at Taylor’s University, Selangor,

Malaysia –The natural fibers with desirable physical and mechanical properties

are exhibited as high-performance composites with environmental and economic

advantages over synthetic materials. Natural fibers have confirmed their

potentiality in replacing common synthetic fibrous materials for acoustic

absorption purposes.

Natural Fiber as Thermal Insulation

The most widely used categories of insulating materials are inorganic

fibrous and organic foamy ones. In the former group, atmospheric air is “trapped”

between the fibers, whilst in the latter the air is embodied in bubble form in the

material’s mass.Considering materials applicable under high temperature

conditions, like in industrial applications or when strict fire protection regulations

apply, fibrous materials arise as the most interesting solutions. (A.

Papadopoulous, D. Anastaselos, 2004)

According to H. Takagi along with A. N. Nakagaito and K. Liu from their

study about “Heat transfer analyses of natural fiber composites” that the natural

fibers have a unique microstructure that is called “lumen” and this lumen is
usually filled with air; thus, the natural fibers have a tube structure. This internal

microstructure is an origin of unique functional properties of natural fiber

composites. This property will give a major factor for thermal insulation.

It is stated in an article entitled “Development and Research of Thermal

Insulation Materials from Natural Fibers”, that thermal conductivity is very low

due to its porous structure and its low density. With their study that mainly

focused on flax and hemp, their investigation also shown that the preparation

method (example: combing and chopping) will also affect the thermal conductivity

of a material.

Luffa

A blog from Bogar Alonso entitled “A Common Plant Could Be the Future

of Sound Engineering” explains that Luffa fibers form a complex network of

cellulose that act like an open cell foam material that is both extremely strong

and lightweight. This new innovation may also lead to the next level in

engineering equipment, as the luffa is a surprisingly effective acoustic insulator”.

There is hollow lumen structure of fibers and their random distribution is believed

to be reason for the superior sound absorption properties of luffa structures.

Soundproofing, the process of reducing sound pressure via a noise barrier

using damping structures, is a delicate art that requires dexterous materials that

prevent sound leakage both in and out of a structure. With the porous nature of

the luffa, these newly designed panels can actually expand and contract to cover

more space (and fill in more cracks) than non-organic materials. After the fruit
becomes old and dried, its pit becomes the fibrous vascular network we typically

use as sponges. Alonso molded a series of these networks into diamond-shaped

wall tiles which also be used for decorative purposes, to achieve better sleep in

your master bedroom, or as we mentioned above, sound insulation for music

studios. (Bogar Alonso, 2013)

The luffa cylindrica sponge possesses a great potential for insulation

purpose, while using and working with cold temperature or hot temperature. This

investigation dealt with a potential opportunity for the development of luffa fibers

particles with the epoxy and the fiber is undergone in treat with few chemical

treatments, to significantly which is important for mechanical, and low

temperature resistance properties of the luffa cylindrica fibers. (P. Daniel, 2016)

Coconut Husk

Cost is one of the major factors to be considered when choosing a thermal

insulator. Design engineers continuously strive to provide the best at the lowest

possible cost. In the tropics climatic conditions are essentially hot and humid and

a cause for daily discomfort. To some extent, air-conditioning of buildings has

solved this problem. The major deterrent to air-conditioning is the exorbitant cost

of imported thermal insulation materials. This has prompted a search for local,

low-cost but effective thermal insulation for buildings. (G. Kochhar and K.

Manohar, 1997)

A study entitled “Noise Control Using Coconut Coir Fiber Sound Absorber

with Porous Layer Backing and Perforated Panel”, stated that coconut husk has
good acoustic properties at low and high frequencies and can used to be an

alternative replacement of synthetic based commercial product. By using the

porous layer and perforated plate backing to coconut coir fiber, the sound

absorber panel shows a good potential to be an environmentally friendly product.

This innovative sound absorption panel has a bright future because they are

cheaper, lighter and environmentally compare to glass fiber and mineral based

synthetic materials. (Rozli Zulkifli et, al., 2010)

Thermal conductivity of cement-based materials

The thermal behavior of cement-based materials are relevant to the use of

these materials for buildings as walls, and other structures. In particular, a high

value of the specific heat is desirable due to the associated ability to retain heat.

Moreover, a low value of the thermal conductivity is desirable due to the

associated ability to provide thermal insulation. On the other hand, a high value

of the thermal conductivity can be desirable due to the associated ability to

reduce the temperature gradient, and hence the thermal stress, in a structure.

(Sanaa Abdulhadi, 2017)

Related Local Literature

Green Technology is widely explored to manufacture materials from

agricultural waste by-products as a substitute to synthetic fibers and wooden-

based materials for acoustic absorption purposes. (D. Demircan et, al.)
 The properties of coconut husk form provide a lot of benefits to mankind. It

can be used as heat absorber. When our research (Coconut Husk: A Subtitute

for Thermal Foam as Heat Insulator in Building Construction) as will goes on may

be we can found it out that using the coconut husk and aluminum foil could help

our country and people by giving them the information about this kind of

materials can be use as their insulator and in affordable price . (Roy Carola et, al.)

Foreign Studies

The study entitled “Noise Control Using Coconut Coir Fiber Sound

Absorber with Porous Layer Backing and Perforated Panel” (RozliZulkifli et, al),

stated the effect of coir as porous layer backing. Coconut Coir Fiber (CCF) panel

treated with latex during forming in order to coat the coir fiber and to maintain the

structure of the coir fiber sheets. The sample test has a 100 mm in diameter for

low frequency and 28 mm for high frequency. To proper fitting of samples into the

measurement tube, a steel rod was machined to a length of 100 mm for each

diameter. It was utilized to push the material into a pre-adjusted depth. For each

thickness of the material, three different sample measurements were made and

the average of the measured data was presented. The experimental data

indicate that the porous layer backing can improve noise absorption coefficient at

low and high frequencies with significant increasing. 20 mm thick layer coconut

coir fiber with a porous layer backing exhibit peak value at frequencies between

2750-2825 Hz with maximum value of 0.97.

 In the study entitled “New Thermal Insulation Boards made from Coconut

Husk and Bagasse “ (Panyakaew S. et, al. 2011), it reported the potential of coir

for its feasibility as thermal insulation. The coconut husk is oven dried to attain its

moisture content into 11-13%. The coconut fibers were cut to lengths of 8-10mm.

The fiber to pith ratio for the production of coconut husk insulation boards was

80:20 by weight. Coconut coir was hot pressed with pressure of 14.7 Mpa. And

by previous studies as a reference it is suggested that it can be made with a

temperature of 180 degrees Celsius and duration of 10 minutes.

For board preparation, to study the effect of board density on physical

properties of the insulation boards, the 25mm thick test boards were

manufactured at the target board densities of 250, 350 and 450 kg/m3. Coconut

fibre and pith as well as bagasse particles were formed manually using a forming

box into a mat of size 450 x 450mm. After forming, the mats were pre-pressed by

hand to compact the materials without heat transfer. Two Teflon

(polytetrafluoroethylene: PTFE) sheets were used on both the top and bottom

surfaces of the mat to prevent the produced boards from sticking onto the hot

plates during hot pressing process. The mat was then transferred to a single-

opening hydraulic hot press. Bars of 25mm thickness were inserted between the

hot plates before pressing to maintain a uniform thickness for all samples. ISO

8301 was followed in the measurement of thermal conductivity of the boards

using a Heat Flow Meter. Thermal conductivity was measured at room

temperature using a Heat Flow Meter under a steady state one-dimensional test

condition with the upward heat flow. Test boards were sandwiched between two
plates, the hot plate and cold plate. At the centre of both plates within the

measuring area of 100x100mm, two temperature sensors and two heat flux

transducers were placed, one for each plate. Measurements of heat flux (W/m2)

and temperature difference (K) across the board thickness were used to

calculate its thermal conductivity. The Heat Flow Meter can provide the

measurements of thermal conductivity ranging from 0.005 to 0.35 W/mk. Twelve

boards with the dimension of 300x300x25mm were tested, these being two of

each material (BBI and BCI) at each of the three target densities (Panyakaew S.

et, al. 2011). From the researcher’s data, it indicates a positive relationship

between thermal conductivity and density. The thermal conductivity values of

binder less coconut husk and bagasse insulation boards with the density of 250-

350 kg/m3 range from 0.046 to 0.068 W/mK.

It is stated in the study entitled Investigations on Sound Absorption

Properties of Luffa Fibrous Mats, that the natural fibrous mats were developed

using luffa fibrous materials and their sound absorption properties were

investigated. Kapok/cotton web was used as middle layer in between two mats in

order to improve the sound absorption efficiency. Four fibrous mats with different

composition of layers were developed using thermal bonding. The developed

mats were tested for Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) as per ASTM E 1050.

The parameters influencing sound absorption properties of the developed mats

such as the addition of kapok/cotton web on the mats, thickness of mats and air

gap maintained in the impedance tube during testing have been investigated.

The sound absorption properties of developed mats improved due to the addition
of kapok/cotton web and increased air gap. The increase in thickness of mats

resulted in increase in sound absorption properties. Luffa mats having 4 layers

had NRC value of 0.39 at the frequency range of 250 Hz to 2000 Hz which is

comparable with commercially available glass fiber board. (G. Thilagavathi et, al.

2017)

From the study of “Developing the Insulation Sheet of Luffa Cylindrica for

Mitticool Fridge” the researcher make an insulation sheet for mitticool fridge

made of luffa cylidrica as expecting that it can enhance the way of this clay

refrigerator preserves some food like vegetable and fruits.

For preparation and fabrication, the Luffa Cylindrica was shaken out for

the dried seed and the dried fibrous cut into smaller sizes, luffa fiber was cut

carefully to separate the inner fiber core from the outer mat core was used in this

study. The fiber is washed several times with water. And again, the sheet is

washed with 1 % sulfuric acid to make the sheet neutralized; the particle is

washed with the distilled water. The chemical used for the surface modification of

fiber. The fiber is preserved in polythene bags, later then sieved with 1.0 mm to

get the fine fiber particles now the grounded particles mixed epoxy (LY 556)

hardener (HY 951) commonly called as Araldite was used as the matrix material

in the fabrication of composites. The mixture is flattened at 7 mm thickness on

iron mat to get the slim sheet left for 3 days to get to dry the sheet. Three sheets

have been prepared for the three side of Mitticool fridge, the size of 13 Inch

Sheet pasted back side of Mitticool fridge. Both right and left side of Mitticool 10

Inch has been pasted. As the result of the study, the insulation keeps the
Mitticool fridge’s moisture in many days with a minimum of 17 degrees Celsius of

temperature is maintained. (P.Daniel, 2016)

Local Studies

The study which entitled “Coconut husks: a substitute for thermal foam as

heat insulator in building construction” by Maricar Francisco, Roy Carola and Dr.

Tomas Ganiron Jr, the researchers made an experimental research to determine

the ability of material as heat insulator. The coconut husk is in the form of blanket

and flexi foil were used for insulating the roofing. The data gathered from two

model of roofing: one is being applied by the experimental insulation and the

other has none to provide a reference for comparison. Materials were directly

applied in the roofs, in which the coconut husk is first to attach beyond the

galvanized iron sheets (G.I.) roofing, followed by the aluminum foil that will serve

as heat storage that passes through the foam. The experiment needs a heater

for presence of heat and it also gives the capability to gather variant data from

controllable temperature.
Terminology

Insulating board – used to block sound waves and heat flow in the buildings
Pa-alphabetical na lang
neto 
or structures.

Eco-friendly – ecological and economical friendly.

Natural Fiber – a resource which has a fiber composite produced on its

own.

Thermal – caused by heat.

Acoustic – study that deals with sound.

Acoustical Engineering – designing of sound insulation.

Thermodynamics – study that deals with the heat relations.

Sound waves – vibration of sound travels in air.

Heat flow – amount of heat being transferred.

Porous – used to identify the material or object having tiny holes or

spaces that known as air voids which the water and air are

possibly can pass.

Soundproof – Ability of object or material to block the sound entirely or

partially, either airborne or impact from the noise source’s

side to targeted side.

Noise – Mostly described as unwanted or disturbing sound.

Sound Absorption – To reduce or eliminate the entire reflection of sound

from any object with mass.

Mass – Mass is both a property of a physical body and a measure

of its resistance to acceleration when a net force is applied.

(Wikipedia)

Synthetic – a material which a product of chemical synthesis tends to

perform the same work as a natural material.

Fibrous – having a presence of fiber.

Luffa Cylindrica – also known as Sponge Gourd, Egyptian cucumber or

Vietnamese Luffa which is native from south or South East

Asia. It has a fibrous skeleton that often identified as a

sponge that has many benefits in some

Perforated panel – a panel (plastic or steel) that is mechanically punched to

create a pattern of holes for some purposes.

Coir – A fiver which specifically found in coconut husk.

Green Technology – Technology whose use is intended to mitigate or reverse

the effects of human activity on the environment. (Wikipedia)

Noise Absorption Coefficient – the ratio of absorbed sound energy to incident

sound energy. If the NAC of a material is .80 means the

material can absorb 80% incident sound energy, but there

are remaining 20% which is fully reflected.

Thermal Conductivity value – measure of materials with the object’s ability

to conduct heat.

Heat Flow Meter – An instrument that can measure the thermal conductivity of

the materials accurately.

ACRONYMS

ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials

CCF - Coconut Coir Fiber

ISO - International Organization for Standardization

PTFE - polytetrafluoroethylene

GI - Galvanized Iron