Processing and utilization of coir-wood-cement board
1998
Palomar, R.N. | Go, A.E. | Illustrisimo, E.L. | Fajardo, L.I. (Philippine Coconut Authority, P.O. Box 356, Zamboanga City (Philippines). Zamboanga Research Center)
Coconut husk has been traditionally regarded as waste in the country despite the fact that there is growing demand for coir fiber and husk both in the domestic and foreign markets. Considering the availability and sustainability of this raw material, R & D in the economic utilization of coconut husk as one of the components in the manufacture of cement-bounded board has been undertaken at PCA-ZRC [Philippine Coconut Authority-Zamboanga Research Center]. Coir-wood-cement board (CWCB) is a new product produced by mixing separately the coir and shredded wood with portland cement at a predetermined ratio of 70 percent cement to 30 percent coir/shredded wood by weight. The shredded wood is taken from small diameter trees (giant ipil-ipil, Gmelina, bagalunga, etc.) either as intercrop or naturally-grown in coconut plantation. CWCB is mat-formed and pressed to the desired thickness and then conditioned or cured. It is 244 cm long by 61 cm wide with thickness ranging from 9 mm to 18 mm. The major equipment needed in the commercial production of CWCB are decorticating machine, shredding machine, blender, hydraulic press and trimmer with an initial investment cost of PHP 1.7 m that includes land, equipment and building structure. Annual board production is estimated at 45,000 boards- CWCB provides panel of good strength properties meeting the strength requirements set by PHILSA standard specification for particle board (PHILSA 106, 1975). It is now being used as an alternative material for expensive construction materials such as plywood, asbestos and cement hollow blocks. It is suitable for a wide variety of uses ranging from building construction material (exterior and interior walls, partitions and ceiling) to furniture components
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