Coir Fiber for Heat Insulation

Natural fibers are environment-friendly materials for their biodegradability and renewable characteristics. This paper details a comparative study of one of the natural fibers-coir and a mineral fiber asbestos-reinforced composite with respect to their behavioral aspects. In this experimental investigation, four sheets were cast with different fiber percentage and length (based on the total weight of cement fly ash and water) maintaining similar ingredients ratio. Load bearing capacity, water absorption, impermeability, acid resistance, and density tests were performed on the asbestos sheets and on the coir-cement sheet. An attempt has been made to develop a low cast technology of coir fiber-reinforced corrugated sheets as a substitute for hazardous asbestos. This method can be used in rural areas with the use of simple equipment.