Physical and mechanical properties of Low-Density coconut fiberboard using polyol-Isocyanate adhesive binder for insulation material.

Natural fibers are abundant in Indonesia, coconut fiber (Cocos nucifera) is used as an insulation composite for wall fillers. In general non-natural materials such as glass wool, polyurethane, fiberglass, polyimide foam, and other synthetic materials are still used as substitutes for insulation, which has been using synthetic materials since the use of coconut fiber as agricultural waste. This research is to analyze the quality of the fiberboard's physical and mechanical properties. To know quality product physical and mechanical tests such as density, moisture content, water absorption, thickness expansion, compression, and bending (standardized using JIS A 5905 2003) and morphological analysis were carried out to determine visual characterization using a 3D keyence microscope on a fiberboard. Making a test sample with a size of 210 x 120 x 5 cm, coconut fiber is mixed with polyurethane adhesive with a density variation of 0.04, 0.06, 0,08, and 0.1, then cold-pressed at a pressure of 5 kg/cm2 for 2 hours because the polyurethane adhesive is thermosetting, and then cut to a size of 30 x 30 cm. The results showed that the higher the density of the fiberboard, the better the physical and mechanical properties. A density of 0.1 g/cm3 produces the best mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]