Possibility of fabricating two-layer insulation boards from date palm

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

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Abstract

Background and aims: The capability of soft and fibrous tissues of plants to absorb noise; has been paid attention to be replaced with synthetic insolation boards. The use of lignocellulose materials has been widely considered because of some important factors like porous structure, high quantity availability, renewability as well as friendly environmental impacts (in contrast with fiber glasses). The lack of raw materials needed for industry also has diverted the attention to other new lignocellulose sources in Iran. So, in the present paper, the possibility of use of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) as a leftover abundant source in south of Iran was studied in order to control and reduce acoustic pollutions.

Materials and methods: Two date palm trees with approximate diameters of 40 cm were freshly cut. Then, a disk with the average diameter of 12 cm was taken from every tree. The cubic experimental samples with dimensions of 12×12×2 were prepared from every disk and kept in plastic covers at freezing temperature. Before testing, cross section of samples were covered with epoxy adhesive and dried smoothly using a program. Finally the circular disks were prepared with two different diameters of 3 and 10 cm. To reach equilibrium moisture content, all samples were kept in a temperature-controlled room at 21°C and 65% relative humidity. Then disks were faced with two kinds of paperboards made with original date palm fibers (cortex and leaves fibers). Paperboards were provided in different basic weight of 130, 300 and 500 gr/cm2. Noise reduction coefficients (NRC) measurements were conducted on experimental samples in frequency range of 125 to 8000 (Hz) using impedance tube at the acoustic lab.
Results: The results showed that the insulation boards made from date palm had a high potential to absorb sound waves. In addition, their ability to dissipate acoustical waves were more pronounced when faced with a single layer of paperboard. A critical point was observed for NRC values at frequency of 2000 Hz. To compensate the given loss, applying a light paperboard (130 gr/cm2) of cortex fiber as well a heavy cover of leaves fiber (500 gr/cm2) could significantly increase NRC values.
Conclusion: The high damping capacity of date palm samples was due to its particular anatomical structure. The vascular bundles embedded in parenchyma tissue provided a soft and porous surface to trap sound waves. An additional improvement on NRC values were obtained while facing disk samples with a layer of paperboard from low to high frequency range.

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References

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Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology
Volume 24, Issue 3
December 2017
Pages 157-170

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