RICE HUSK - POLYESTER RESIN FIBERBOARD TREATED WITH

BANANA PSEUDOSTEM SAP

A Thesis Proposal
Presented to
The Faculty of the College of Engineering
Camarines Norte State College
Daet, Camarines Norte

In Partial Fulfilment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

By

Karl Paulo S. Tagala

Mark Joseph M. Balce
Marianne C. Geromo

S.Y. 2017-2018, 2nd Semester

 ABSTRACT

TITLE : RICE HUSK – POLYESTER RESIN FIBERBOARD TREATED

WITH BANANA PSEUDOSTEM SAP

PROPONENTS : Karl Paulo S. Tagala

Mark Joseph M. Balce

Marianne C. Geromo

KEYWORDS : Rice husk, Banana pseudostem sap, Polyester resin, Fire retardant,

Fiber board

One of the biggest problem facing the country today is fire incident because of most houses

is almost 60% made of wood especially in rural areas. Rice husk fiberboard is therefore one of

such material which may be considered a potential substitute for woods-based board products. And

with the properties of banana pseudostem sap, this RH-Polyester resin fiberboard will be possibly

become a natural fire retardant fiberboard.

Flame retardancy will be imparted in RH-Polyester resin fiberboard using banana

pseudostem sap (BPS), an eco-friendly natural product. The extracted sap was made alkaline and

applied in pre-mordanted bleached. Fiberboard will be treated with non-diluted and diluted BPS.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectivity of BPS as fire retardant agent to the RH-

Polyester resin fiberboard. Finding out the optimum fire resistant rating of Rice Husk (RH),

bonded by Polyester resin mixed with Banana pseudostem sap is the aim of this study.
 CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Nowadays, Philippines is struggling with the huge number of fire incidents that causes

death of hundreds of people per year and destroys tons of properties, (BFP, 2016). It is because

most of Filipino dwellings in rural and even in urban areas are 60% made of wood, that is why in

a spark of a fire, massive fire spreads quickly in a short while.

One of the manifestations of this phenomena, is the thorough research of materials with

high moisture content and materials mixed with fire retardants which will lessen the vast

destruction due to fire cases.

Among various raw materials in the Philippines with continuous and sustainable supply

that will satisfy this study is the Rice Husk (RH) for the fiberboard bonded with polyester resin

and treated with Banana Pseudostem sap (BPS).

Rice husk from paddy (Oryza sativa) is one of example of alternative material that can be

potentially used for making fiberboard. Rice husk is unusually high in ash, which is 92 to 95%

silica, highly porous and lightweight, with a high external surface area. Its absorbent and insulating

properties are useful to many industrial applications, such as acting as a strengthening agent in

building materials. Ahiduzzaman discussed the increasing applications use of rice husk as a

renewable source of energy, this is due to the increasing energy cost in developing countries. The

rice husk energy content at 14% moisture content is 11.9-13.0 MJ/kg.

 2

However, banana pseudostem sap (BPS) is a plant extract, it contains phosphorous,

nitrogen, chlorine and other metallic constituents. It’s also have magnesium nitrate and potassium

nitrate. More recently, researchers have reported that the potassium chloride, sodium chloride and

metal phosphate are the major components of the salts extracted from BPS. These properties of

banana pseudostem sap (BPS) can be suitably utilized to impart flame retardancy to cellulosic and

non-cellulosic textiles.

Further, according to the report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturists in 2013

showed that rice is the main source of income of 16,672 farmers cultivating an area of 14,077

hectares of irrigated farms and 7,043.22 hectares of rainfed land. Rice husk is the by-product in

rice milling operation, despite the abundant nature of this waste product only small portion is

utilized in a meaningful way, the remaining part is burnt into ashes or dumped as a solid waste

with little being used in animal feed formulation. Another considered waste material is banana

pseudostem sap that also abundantly found in the province of Camarines Norte.

Moreover, with this information gathered and the availability of Rice Husk and Banana

(Musa Acuminata) Pseudostem Sap is abundant in the province of Camarines Norte, specifically

from Vinzons, Camarines Norte and Brgy. Dogongan, Daet, Camarines Norte respectively which

is accessible, the researchers can easily provide materials needed for the study. In addition, the

focus of this project was to create a fire retardant material.

Background of the study

This idea and concept emanate from what solution can be apply to reduce the fire incident

specially structures made out of light materials that are common in rural areas. From this, we, the

proponents gathered related literatures and studies regarding the properties of rice husk, which has
 3

an effective absorbent and insulating properties that acts as a strengthening agent for building

materials, while banana pseudostem sap can be suitably utilized to impart flame retardancy.

According to Marti-Ferrer the lignin and hemicellulose contents of rice husk are lower than

wood whereas the cellulose content is similar. For this reason, RH can be processed at higher

temperatures than wood. And based on a study, the moisture content ranged from 8·68 to 10·44%,

and the bulk density ranged from 86 to 114 kg./m3. The results showed excessive volatile release

of over 60%, high ash content ranging from 15·30 to 24·60% (dry weight basis), and high silica

content of the ash ranging from 90 to 95%. The lower heating values ranged from 13·24 to

16·20 MJ / kg (dry weight basis). The ash fusion temperatures of all the varieties were found to be

over 1600°C.

Banana (musa acuminata) pseudostem sap, was used in previous research on textiles.

Fabrics treated with the non-diluted BPS were found to have good flame retardant property with

limiting oxygen factor (LOI) of 30 compared to the controlled fabric with LOI of 18, i.e., an

increase of 1.6 times. In the vertical flammability test, the BPS treated fabric showed flame for a

few seconds and then, got extinguished. In the horizontal flammability test, the treated fabric

showed no flame, but was burning only with an afterglow with a propagation rate of 7.5 mm/min.

With the information cited above and since the availability of Rice Husk and Banana (Musa

Acuminata) Pseudostem Sap is abundant in the province of Camarines Norte, specifically from

Vinzons, Camarines Norte and Brgy. Dogongan, Daet, Camarines Norte respectively which is

accessible, the researcher inspired to determine the effectivity of BPS as fire retardant agent to the

RH-Polyester resin fiberboard. Finding out the optimum fire resistant rating of Rice Husk (RH),

bonded by Polyester resin mixed with Banana pseudostem sap is the aim of this study.
 4

Objective of the Study

Generally, this study will be conducted to determine the optimum fire resistant of rice husk-

polyester fiberboard treated with (musa acuminata) banana pseudostem sap

This research study aims to meet the following objectives:

1. To determine the density of rice husk - polyester resin fiberboard treated with varying BPS-

water ratio.

2. To determine the flexural capacity of rice husk - polyester resin fiberboard treated with

varying BPS-water ratio.

3. To determine the fire resistant rating of rice husk - polyester resin fiberboard treated with

varying BPS-water ratio.

Statement of the Problem

This study will be conducted to determine the optimum fire resistant rating of rice husk-

polyester resin fiberboard treated with banana (musa acuminata) pseudostem sap and seeks to

answer the following questions:

1. What is the physical property of rice husk - polyester resin fiberboard treated with varying

BPS-water ratio in terms of density?

2. What is the mechanical property of rice husk - polyester resin fiberboard treated with

varying BPS-water ratio in terms of flexural strength?

3. What is the fire resistant rating rice husk - polyester resin fiberboard with the following

ratio of banana pseudostem sap and water respectively?

a) 0:0

b) 1:0
 5

c) 1:1

d) 1:2

4. Is there significance difference in the fire resistant rating among varying BPS-water ratio?

Hypothesis of the Study

𝑯𝒂 : There is a significant difference between the fire resistant rating of rice husk - polyester

resin fiberboard with various BPS and water ratio.

Ho: There is no a significant difference between the fire resistant rating of rice husk -

polyester resin fiberboard with various BPS and water ratio.

Significance of the study

The result of this study will be significantly important particularly to the following:

The public. As this research observed issues and challenges of public importance like the green

projects construction industry, human and environmental safety aspects of construction materials

are under intensive study planning for sustainability of resources and contributing to efforts

directed towards addressing global warming. The concept of using RH and BPS differs from

conventional fiber board making because it does not only offer an innovative way of making board,

but also it offers new source of construction material that is environment friendly.

The Farmers. For the use of Rice Husk and Banana Pseudostem Sap will maximized not only

for waste product of cultivation, but it may also be used as a construction material, especially as

particle board, thus motivating them to increase production due to increasing demand.
 6

Engineers and future researchers. Since this study will guide them to continue the motive of

this research; also this will serve as a basis for production and other construction material. The

result of this study may serve as a reference for further studies to occur.

Scope and Delimitations

In this study the researchers will compare the fire resistant rating of rice husk bonded by

polyester resin mixed with banana (musa acuminata) pseudostem sap with various BPS-water

ratio.

Rice husk will obtain from the municipality of Vinzons since according to Philippine

Information Authority (PIA) this town is the major rice grower in the province of Camarines Norte

with 3,502.0 hectares of area harvested. However, Banana (musa acuminata) pseudostem sap will

be gathered from Brgy. Dogongan, Daet, Camarines Norte. The variety of banana pseudostem sap

will be used in this study is saba banana also known as cardaba banana.

This study only aims to investigate the effectivity of BPS as fire retardant to the RH fiber

board. To attain the results and to fulfill the aims in the background of the study and in the

statement of the problem. The procedure and specification shall conform on ASTM D790 was

used for the determination of the flexural strength of composite board and ASTM E 119-16a,

Standard Test Method for Fire Test of Building Construction and Materials. The samples will be

tested at the Department of Science and Technology’s Forest Products Research and Development

Institute (DOST-FPRDI), UPLB Laguna.

 7

Definition of Terms

These terms are defined operationally for clarification of this study.

Density - is a measurement that compares the amount of matter an object has to its volume.

Fiberboard - a building material made of wood or other plant fibers compressed into

boards.

Fire resistant rating - typically means the duration for which a passive fire

protection system can withstand a standard fire resistance test. This can be quantified

simply as a measure of time.

Fire retardant - is a substance that is used to slow or stop the spread of fire or reduce its

intensity. This is commonly accomplished by chemical reactions that reduce the

flammability of fuels or delay their combustion.

Flexural strength - also known as modulus of rupture, or bend strength, or transverse

rupture strength is a material property, defined as the stress in a material just before

it yields in a flexure test.

Moisture content - is the quantity of water contained in a material, such as soil (called soil

moisture), rock, ceramics, crops, or wood. Water content is used in a wide range of

scientific and technical areas, and is expressed as a ratio, which can range from 0

(completely dry) to the value of the materials porosity at saturation.

Pseudostem - is a part of the banana plant that looks like a trunk. It is formed by the tightly

packed overlapping leaf sheaths. Even though the pseudostem is very fleshy and consists

mostly of water, it is quite sturdy and can support a bunch that weighs 50 kg or more.
 8

End Notes

Seiji Kumagai & Junya Sasaki (2009) Carbon/silica composite fabricated from rice husk by means

of binderless hot-pressing Bioresource Technology

Bronzeoak (2003), “Rice husk ash market study”

Jauberthie, R., Rendell, F., Tamba, S., and Cisse, I., (2000), “Origin of the pozzolanic effect of

rice husk”
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter aimed to introduce and review the related literatures and studies that are

relevant to the present study. The principles, laws, theories, concepts, practices, applications, and

procedures cited in this part are gathered from internet websites, journals, books, and past studies.

These related literatures and studies were selected to strengthen and provide direction to the present

study.

Related Literature

Fiberboard

The panel product fiberboard is made of wood fibers. (In the pulp, paper, and

fiberboard industry fiber refers to all cells of wood and is not limited to the

specific cell type found in hardwood). A resin adhesive is not always used in fiberboard

manufacture; in some cases, the boards are held together by physical forces (hydrogen

bonding), the flow of the natural lignin present among the fibers, or interweaving of the

fibers. As in the case of particleboard, residues and wood of low quality can be used, and

bark is usually tolerated.

Production of fiberboard involves reduction of the wood to particles, pulping, sheet

(mat) formation, pressing and finishing treatment. Pulping is mechanical; the main method

is the thermomechanical process, in which wood particles are steamed and then reduced to

fibers by the action of special mills. Some factories use a so-called explosion (Masonite)
 10

process, in which steamed chips are transformed into fibers by the application and sudden

release of pressure. Before sheet formation, the pulp is blended with certain materials to

improve water resistance, strength, and other properties. Either of two basic processes, dry

or wet, is employed in the formation of the fiber mat. In dry (or air) forming, fibers are

transported by air, and a synthetic resin is added. In wet forming, the fibers are carried in

a water suspension, and a resin adhesive is not used. Because dry forming consumes no

water and is less polluting, it is preferred over the wet process. Pressing is considered either

wet or dry depending on the moisture content of the fiber mat. The properties of wet-

pressed boards are improved by “tempering” treatments (exposure to heat or application of

drying oils). The appearance of fiberboard can be enhanced by overlays or patterns of

perforations, tiles, simulated leather, and other designs.

There are two types of fiberboard, insulation and compressed (represented mainly

by hardboard); the distinction is based on density and the method of production. Insulation

board is used in construction as insulation and cushioning; hardboard has a wide variety of

uses, including furniture, house siding, wall paneling, and concrete forms. A relatively new

compressed product is medium-density fiberboard (MDF). MDF is manufactured in

a range of thicknesses (6–40 mm [about 0.2–1.6 inches]), usually by the dry process, and

it is less dense than hardboard. It can be machined as solid wood and has many uses,

including furniture, paneling, and siding. (Britannica Encyclopedia)

Rice Husk

Twenty percent of the 649.7 million tons annual rice production worldwide is rice

husk. (Northoff,E., 2008 as cited by Habeeb, G.A. et al.,2010). While in the Philippines,
 11

the average annual rice husk production from 2011-2013 is 3.54 million metric tons.

(Militar, J. G.,n.d.)

Rice husk is produced from hard materials such as silica and lignin to protect the

seed during the growing season. (IRRI-RKB, 2016) It consists of two high-temperature

forms of silica: (1) amorphous state (firing temperature between 700-750˚C) which is

pozzolanic and (2) crystalline silica (burned beyond 750˚C) which loses its binding

property. (FPRDI, 2008)

The remaining by-product after combustion is rice husk ash. Its physical and

chemical properties depend on the combustion process such as combustion type, feeding

type, temperature, residence time, and availability of oxygen (aerobic or anaerobic). (IRRI-

RKB, 2016)

Porous SiO2/C composite from RH

During heat treatment of RH in inert atmosphere, organic compounds decompose

and partly change to H2O, CO, CO2, and volatile compounds, remaining carbon and SiO2.

(Seiji Kumagai et al., 2009). The porous SiO2/C composites with a high surface area have

been fabricated by heating the pellets in inert atmosphere. Porous SiO2/C composite was

able to be fabricated through a simple one-step firing process. The pore characteristics of

the products could be controlled by changing the molding pressure, raw RH particle size,

and heat treatment temperature. Heating at 1000º C displayed the optimal properties such

as 87% porosity and 450 m2/g specific surface area. Larger RH particles resulted in

products with higher strength (TakanoriI Watari et al., 2006).

 12

Banana Pseudostem Sap

a) Sap

Pertains to watery fluid of plants. Cell sap is a fluid found in the vacuoles (small cavities)

of the living cell; it contains variable amounts of food and waste materials, inorganic salts, and

nitrogenous compounds. Xylem sap carries soil nutrients (e.g., dissolved minerals) from

the root system to the leaves; the water is then lost through transpiration. Maple sap

is xylem sap, containing some sugar in late winter. Phloem, or sieve-tube, sap is the fluid

carrying sugar from leaves to other parts of the plant in the summer (Britannica Encyclopedia).

Related Studies

According to S. Basak et al., (2015), flame retardancy was imparted in cellulosic cotton

textile using banana pseudostem sap (BPS), an eco-friendly natural product. The extracted sap was

made alkaline and applied in pre-mordanted bleached and mercerized cotton fabrics. Flame

retardant properties of both the control and the treated fabrics were analyzed in terms of limiting

oxygen index (LOI), horizontal and vertical flammability. Fabrics treated with the non-diluted BPS

were found to have good flame retardant property with LOI of 30 compared to the control fabric

with LOI of 18, i.e., an increase of 1.6 times. In the vertical flammability test, the BPS treated

fabric showed flame for a few seconds and then, got extinguished. In the horizontal flammability

test, the treated fabric showed no flame, but was burning only with an afterglow with a propagation

rate of 7.5 mm/min, which was almost 10 times lower than that noted with the control fabric. The

thermal degradation and the pyrolysis of the fabric samples were studied using a

thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the chemical composition by FTIR, SEM and EDX,

besides the pure BPS being characterized by EDX and mass spectroscopy. The fabric after the
 13

treatment was found to produce stable natural khaki colour, and there was no significant

degradation in mechanical strengths. Based on the results, the mechanism of imparting flame

retardancy to cellulosic textile and the formation of natural colour on it using the proposed BPS

treatment have been postulated.

According to I Wayan Surata et al., May (2014), Indonesia as a tropical agricultural country

has great potential to develop and utilize fiber derived from agricultural waste. Rice husks are an

important by-product of rice milling process that can be used as reinforcement in composite

products. The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanical properties of rice husks fiber

polyester composites. Composites were produced with unsaturated polyester resin as the matrix

and rice husks as fiber. The matrix type is polyester Yukalac 157 BQTN, and methyl ethyl.

According to the ASTM D3039, and flexural test specimens according to the ASTM D790M. The

tone peroxide as catalyst. Composites were made by hand lay-up techniques, with the variation of

fiber weight fraction 20, 30, 40 and 50%. Tensile test specimens were made ac results showed that

the tensile and flexural strength of the composites increased when the fiber weight fraction

increased.

According to A. Bilal et al., June (2014), Mechanical properties of thermoplastic

composites from medium density polyethylene (MDPE) blended with rice husk (RH) or expanded

rice husk (ERH) were evaluated in this study. Composites were prepared with particulate fiber

loadings of 15, 30, 40 and 50 wt% and with 3 wt% of compatibiliser (maleated polyethylene,

MAPE) for each blend. RH and ERH were compounded with MDPE in a twin screw extruder after

mechanical mixing of the constituent materials. The composite extrudates were pelletised and

injection moulded into test specimens for the evaluation of tensile (strength and modulus), flexural

(strength and modulus) and Charpy impact properties according to their respective ASTM
 14

standards, ASTM D638, ASTM D790 and ASTM D6110. The results show that with an increase

in fiber loading, the tensile and flexural properties of the composites were increased whereas

impact strength was decreased. It can be concluded that agro-wastes, such as RH, can be used as

filler/reinforcement to efficiently manufacture natural fiber thermoplastic composites for various

applications.

Synthesis of the State of the Art

In the study of S. Basak et al., (2015) used cellulosic cotton textile and banana pseudostem

sap (BPS) to create a flame retardant and eco-friendly natural product. It is similar to this study in

terms of fiber treatment using diluted and non-diluted BPS. On the hand, the former uses cotton

while the latter uses RH as the source of fiber.

The study of Wayan Surayan et al., (2014) examine the mechanical of rice husks fiber

polyester composite. Composites were produced with unsaturated polyester resin as the matrix and

rice husks as fiber. It uses variation of fiber weight fraction 20, 30, 40 and 50%. The specimens

were had undergone tensile and flexural tests. Similarly, in this research, rice husk and polyester

resin will be used as raw materials of fiberboard and subjected to flexural test. But, in this study,

the specimen will use a different fiber weight fraction and ratio of polyester resin.

A Bilal et al., (2014) evaluated the mechanical properties of thermoplastic composites from

medium density polyethylene (MDPE) blended with rice husk (RH) or expanded Rice Husk. The

composites were prepared with particulate fiber loading of 15, 30, 40 and 50 wt% and with 3 wt%

of compatibilizer (maleated polyethylene, MAPE) for each blend. It was also subjected to tensile

and flexural test. This study is similar to this research topic in a way that RH will be also utilized
 15

as main component. Even so, this research is different with this study in terms of the variety of RH

used and the researcher targeted to evaluate the fire resistivity of the fiberboard.

Though RH fiberboard is not a new technology and researches were conducted and

performed regarding its properties and application, there is still no established study with RH

fiberboard with banana pseudostem sap evaluating its fire resistivity. That is why this study aimed

to determine the optimum fire resistant rating of Rice Husk Polyester Resin treated with Banana

Pseudostem Sap.

Theoretical Framework

The properties and quality of materials such as density and flexural strength will be

determined using the standard experimental procedure set forth by the American Standard for

Testing Materials (ASTM).

Barrier theory postulate the formation of a glassy layer which impedes the liberation of

volatile gases, preventing oxygen from reaching the substrate and protecting the material surface

from the influence of elevated temperature. A fire retardant can work by means of mechanism

known as intumescence. Intumescent systems swell when subjected to heat or fire and create

porous carbonaceous foam, which operates as a barrier and protects from air, heat and pyrolysis

products. Moreover, theories of simultaneous char increasing and volatile reduction are based on

the use of fire retardant chemicals to reduce the temperature required for pyrolysis, the result of

which is the production of more char and fewer volatile gases (Levan 1984).

Figure 1 shows the theoretical paradigm of this research.

 16

theory of
simultaneous
char increasing
and volatile
reduction

Barrier
Theory

Test for fire

resistance rating of
RH-polyester resin
fiberboard treated
with BPS

Figure 1. Theoretical Paradigm of the Study

Conceptual Framework

This conceptual paradigm as shown in figure 2 maps out the action required in the course

of the study. Thus, the main objective is to create a fire retardant fiberboard made of rice husk-

polyester resin treated with banana (musa acuminata) pseudostem sap. This study will be using

systematic representation of procedures which depicts the interrelationship of concepts and topics

the researcher dealt with as to come up to a solution to the problem. The methods of this study

circulate on the relationship between BPS-water ratio and the mechanical and physical properties

of rice husk - polyester fiberboard. The rice husk – polyester fiberboard treated with banana sap

samples will be subjected to two tests. First testing for the density and flexural strength of the

fiberboard itself ASTM D790 will be used for the determination of the flexural strength of the
 17

BFPR Composite Board. Then ASTM E119-16a intended to evaluate the duration for which the

types of building elements contain a fire, retain their structural integrity, or exhibit both properties

during a predetermined test exposure.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Materials  Specimen
Fabrication
 Banana
 Heat curing
Pseudostem
 Determination
Sap
of density and
 Polyester Fire Retardant
flexural
Resin Fiberboard
strength of RH-
 Rice Husk polyester resin
fiberboard
 Fire resistant
rating test

FEEDBACK

Figure 2. Conceptual Paradigm of the Study

 18

End Notes

Seiji Kumagai & Junya Sasaki (2009) Carbon/silica composite fabricated from rice husk by means

of binderless hot-pressing Bioresource Technology

Mehta P K. Siliceous Ashes and Hydraulic Cements Prepared there from.United States

Bronzeoak (2003), “Rice husk ash market study”

Jauberthie, R., Rendell, F., Tamba, S., and Cisse, I., (2000), “Origin of the pozzolanic effect of

rice husk”
 CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the methods that will be used in the study. It will also describe the

research design, research parameters or variables, the instruments that will be use, the

determination of sample, and the statistical treatment of the data.

Research Design

This study will be conducted in order to create a fire retardant fiberboard using two

different types of raw materials. The researchers will use rice husk and banana (musa acuminata)

pseudostem sap as the specimen that will be tested during the study. This study is identified as an

experimental and descriptive research which includes testing of flame resistant rating of the

fiberboard according to the standard procedure. This study will employ One-factor randomized

design with replication. There will be four level of mixtures, each having three replicates. The

controlled variable for this study is rice husk. The amount of banana pseudostem sap (BPS) and

water varies in every level while the response variable is fire resistant rating.

In Figure 3 is the diagram of the research design that shows how the researcher came up

with the number of experimental units.

 21

FR-T0-1

REPLICATES
FR-T0-2
FR-T0-3

TREATMENT
DEPENDENT VARIABLE

FR-T1-1
T(0) FR-T1-2
Fire-Resistant T(1) FR-T1-3

Rating (FR) T(2) FR-T2-1

FR-T2-2
T(3)
FR-T2-3

FR-T3-1
FR-T3-2
FR-T3-3

Figure 3. Schematic Diagram of the Research Diagram

Research Parameters and Variables

In this study, the researcher will use materials that will serve as the experimental sample

to gather needed data based on the formulated research design. The independent variable is the

BPS-water ratio, while the response variable is the fire-resistant rating. The controlled variable is

the rice husk and polyester resin.

Research Procedure

Material

In conducting this study, the following materials will be use:

 22

1. Rice Husk - the rice husk will be collected in a specific mill. It will serve as one

of the main component of the study.

2. Banana Pseudostem Sap - the sap will be gathered from saba tree. It will be

mixed with rice husk in varying ratio.

3. Caustic Soda - the rice husk will be cured with caustic soda to remove lignin

wax and impure substances for the compatibility of bonding.

4. Water - will be used as solvent in a particular ratio.

5. Tannic Acid and Alum - use for mordanting the rice husk with 5% and 10%

concentration.

6. General Purpose - Rigid Orthophthalic Polyester Resin- use for quick curing

unsaturated polyester resin based on orthophthalic raw material for laminating

purpose.

Instruments

The following instrument will be used in the study:

1. Weighing Scale - use to weigh sample for data collection.

2. Oven - use for heat curing of banana pseudostem sap and polyester resin with a

constant temperature.

3. Steel Plate mold - made of steel with the mold size conforming to ASTM D

1037-12.

4. Universal Testing Machine - the machine will be used in determining the

flexural strength of the fiberboard.

5. Graduated Cylinder - use for measuring the volume of liquid.

 23

6. Beaker - cylindrical glass container use as container in mixing the solute

(Caustic soda flakes) and solvent (water).

7. Gloves - use for protection from direct contact of solution and binder

8. Pan - use as mixing pan for the RH and binder.

9. Hydraulic Jack - device used in compressing the fiberboard in the container.

Procedures

Step 1: Acquisition of needed materials

The rice husk will be obtained from Vinzons, Camarines Norte. While banana

(musa acuminata) pseudostem sap will be gathered from Brgy. Dogongan, Daet,

Camarines Norte.

Step 2: Preparation of Rice Husk

The selected rice husks will be cleaned by washing with fresh water and dried under

the sun to remove many impurities such as sand, dust, bran rice, and other small particles.

The fibers then will be soaked in 5% NaOH solution in water bath for 2 hours. The treated

fibers will be rinsed in fresh water to neutralize the effect NaOH, and left to dry naturally

at room temperature.

Step 3: Preparation and Fabrication of Test Specimen

The mold was made of steel plate with the inside dimension of 200mm x 50mm x

40mm. It is in accordance to ASTM D 1037 - 12 or the Standard Test Methods for Evaluating

of Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials.

The rice husk will be first mordanted with 5% tannic acid and 10% alum. Then,

impregnated with different concentrations of the banana pseudostem sap (BPS) such as,

non-diluted (1: 0) and diluted (1: 1 and 1: 2). then again will be sundried and cured to
 24

drying oven in five minute under a constant temperature of 110 degrees Celsius. The dried

RH treated with BPS will be mixed with polyester resin.

Step 4: Pressure exert on the mold using Hydraulic Jack

The RH with BPS and Polyester Resin will be put into the metal sheet mold. With

the aid of Hydraulic Jack, samples will be compressed. With this process of compressing

the replicates, it will result to different height of composites which in turn was permitted

to occur in order to maintain the specified proportion of the fiber and the resin.

Step 5: Heat Curing

Heat Curing will be used to accelerate the cure of the polyester resin, subjecting the

mold above 25ᵒC will reduce the cure time of it in accordance with PRO marine supplies

Incorporation, Product data sheet of Polyester resin. The curing process will be done

through placing the mold in the oven for 30 minutes at a temperature of 100ᵒC. After which

the specimen will be removed and stored in a room temperature for cooling.

Step 6: Testing for density and flexural strength of fiberboard

Samples shall conform to ASTM D790 for the determination of the flexural

strength of composite board with varying RH-polyester resin ratio. Then used the highest

flexural strength for fire resistance rating test.

Step 7: Test for fire resistance rating

Samples will undergo Standard Test Method for Fire Test of Building Construction

and Materials, ASTM E 119-16a. These test methods are intended to evaluate the duration

for which the types of building elements contain a fire, retain their structural integrity, or

exhibit both properties during a predetermined test exposure. The test exposes a test

specimen to a standard fire controlled to achieve specified temperatures throughout a

 25

specified time period. Sample will be tested at the Department of Science and

Technology’s Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI),

UPLB Laguna.
 26

Estimate Bill of Materials

Description Quantity Unit Unit Cost Total Cost

Mold 1 piece 300 300

Caustic Soda 500 g. 189 189

Polyester Resin 1 set 360 360

Tannic Acid 1 Kg. 50 50

Alum 1 Kg. 40 40

Test for the Density of 5 sample 350 350

fiberboard

Test for Flexural Strength 5 sample 600 600

of fiberboard

Standard Test Methods for

Fire Tests of Building

12 sample 350 4200
Construction and Materials

Printing of Papers 500

Miscellaneous

(Transportation, etc.) 3000

Estimated Total Expenses PHP 9789.00

27
 28

Date: March 27, 2018

Researchers: Balce, Mark Joseph

Geromo, Marianne

Tagala, Karl Paulo

Title: Rice Husk – Polyester Resin Fiberboard with Banana Pseudostem Sap as Fire

Retarding Agent

Comments:

 The strength in the RRS you gathered maybe related to the topic but it is not the same

strength you will get.

 There is a something wrong on the Title.

 Can Rice Husk absorb the Banana pseudostem sap?

 The Flexural Strength must be known first.

 How can you relate the ratios in the Fire rating?

 The term should be Fire-Resistance Rating not Fire Retardancy in measurement.

 How can you say that banana sap is Retarding agent if it will be mixed with rice husk?

 What is the unit of fire retardancy?

Recommendations:

 Include in the Objective of the study the Physical and Mechanical Properties such as

Density and Flexural Strength.

 Remove the Reinforced

 Delimit in the study the Fire Retardant material and specify it directly in the Introduction.

 Delimit the properties of Banana and Rice Husk, use only one variety.
 29

 Remove the Reinforced unless you show and state what it is.

 Re-think of the title but remove the Retardant agent.

Remarks:

 Approved

Panel Members:

1. Engr. Ronald Mancenido

2. Engr. Norlen Jay Azul

3. Engr. Shiela Marie Diezmo

4. Engr. Francis Villacorta