Nigerian Journal of Technology (NIJOTECH)

Vol. 37, No. 1, January 2018, pp. 108 – 114

Copyright© Faculty of Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka,
Print ISSN: 0331-8443, Electronic ISSN: 2467-8821
www.nijotech.com
http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v37i1.14

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THERMAL INSULATION BOARDS FROM LEAF

AND BARK FIBRES OF CAMEL’S FOOT (PILIOSTIGMA THONNINGII L.)

M. Abubakar1,*, A. Raji2 and M. A. Hassan3

1 NATIONAL SPACE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, PYKASA JUNCTION, AIRPORT ROAD, ABUJA-NIGERIA
2, 3 DEPT. OF MECHANICAL ENGR., MODIBBO ADAMA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE. NIGERIA
Email addresses: 1 musaabubakar2000@yahoo.com, 2 rajifuty@yahoo.com, 3 mahassan@mautech.edu.ng

ABSTRACT
Plants and agricultural wastes with high degrees of fibrous content in form of lignocellulose compounds have been
identified as main ingredient in composites, making them suitable for manufacturing of insulation boards and panels.
Thus, several researches have succeeded in using these plants and agro waste fibres in developing renewable and
environmentally friendly thermal insulation products. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of
insulation boards made from leave and bark fibres of Piliostigma thonningii L.in terms of density, water absorption,
apparent thermal conductivity, specific heat and thermal diffusivity. The leave and the bark fibres were prepared in
form of squared boards of 200 mm x 200 mm and thickness of 20 mm using natural rubber latex as a binder. The fibre
to binder ratio was varied with a composition of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4. The LFB recorded densities between 528.6
kg/m3 and 538.4 kg/m3 while in the BFB the densities are between 558.3 kg/m3 and 711.8 kg/m3at various
compositions. The Percentage water absorption for the LFB is between 36.51% and 12.03% while the BFB is between
25.02% and 13.23%. Similarly, the apparent thermal conductivity values for LFB are between 0.032096 W/mK and
0.040855 W/mK while that of the BFB are between 0.039439 W/mK and 0.043406 W/mK. The specific heat values of
the LFB are between 2901.88 J/kg.K and 3656.48 J/kg.K and that of the BFB are between 2044.46 J/kg.K and 2512.61
J/kg.K while the thermal diffusivity is between 2.05E-8 m2/s and 8.07E-9 m2/s for the LFB and 1.57E-8 m2/s to 2.68E-
8 m2/s for BFB. The boards recorded thermal properties that are comparable to those of the commercially available
products with LFB performing consistently better than the BFB.

Key words: Thermal Insulation, Leave fibres, Bark fibres, apparent thermal conductivity, Lignocellulose compounds,
Fibrous content.

1. INTRODUCTION polyestyrene have some negative effects on human

It has become prevalent to use thermal insulation health and body and cause environmental pollution due
materials to sustain confortable temperatures in living to non-decomposition after their useful life [4].
environment and to reduce the cost of heating and According to Berge and Johansson [5], thermal
cooling as a result of heat loss or gain in industrial insulation materials such as polyurethane (PUR) foam
processes [1, 2]. Due to the rising energy demand and contains ozone depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFC-
consumption, fluctuating prices of fossil fuels (crude 11) which are of great environmental concern. For
oil) and its resultant effect of global warming, energy these reasons, there is an urgent need for a more
conservation through the use of thermal insulation is environmentally friendly biodegradable low
regarded as an effective and efficient method [3, 4]. temperature thermal insulation material to replace the
Thus thermal insulation materials play an important commercially available ones.
role in achieving high energy efficiency resulting in Several authors have proposed different plants and
decrease in the cost of cooling and heating as well as agricultural wastes for making products such as
decrease in environmental pollution. However, the particles boards, hard boards and fibre boards focusing
commonly used materials for low temperature majorly on their thermal insulation [6]. These studies
application such as polyurethane, polyisocynurate and revealed the potentials of the natural biodegradable

* Corresponding author, tel: +234 – 805 – 953 – 5686

 COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THERMAL INSULATION BOARDS FROM LEAF AND BARK FIBRES OF CAMEL’S FOOT, M. Abubakar, et al

fibrous materials for production of thermal insulation hours to soften the fibres. The fibres were thoroughly
with numerous benefits to the health and environment. rinsed in a fresh tap water and air dried. The dried
Panyakaew and Fotios [7] opined that the use of samples were ground into small sizes using a
renewable fibrous materials especially from commercial grinder and then used for the preparation
agricultural by-products for thermal insulation will in of the particles board. Two different sets of samples,
addition generate economic development for farming one from the bark fibres and the other from the leaves
and rural populace. Some of the materials studied in were prepared separately as described above and
this context include; rice husk [8], oil-palm fibres [9], stored in nylon. A rectangular wooden mould of size
papyrus fibres [4], pineapple leaves [2], coconut husk 200 mm by 200 mm was constructed with a thickness
[8, 10, 11], straw [12], corn cob [6] to mention but few. 20 mm. A required quantity of the fibre and the binder
The plant studied in this work is the Camel’s foot was charged into a mixer rotating at 120rpm and
(Piliostigma thonningii L.) which has been used continuously mixed for 10 minutes until the particles
traditionally in form of mats and loose-fill insulation were thoroughly impregnated with the resin and the
and as thatch by Fulani herders in the northern part of mixture was then poured into the mould. A force of
Nigeria purposely to insulate their huts from hot and 0.25 kN was applied to ensure even settling of the
cold weathers. These facts inspired us to study the product and was allowed to cure under the sun for five
fibres in form of particle boards to ascertain or (5) days. Four (4) types of boards were produced from
otherwise the insulation ability of the fibres. In each sample with particles to binder ratios of 1:1, 1:2,
preparation of the boards, natural rubber latex was 1:3 and 1:4. After forming, the boards were then cut
chosen as a binder which is of great interest from into various test samples.
environmental perspective since most of the
conventional binders such as formaldehyde and urea 2.3 Tests
formaldehyde are harmful to human health due to To determine the suitability of the particle boards for
emission of toxic substances and causes environmental insulation, the thermal properties are of prime
pollution [2]. importance. But other physical and thermo physical
Thus, the aim of the research was to develop thermal properties are also significant. Hence, the following
insulation boards from the leaves and bark fibres of tests were conducted on the fibre boards.
Camel’s foot (Piliostigma Thonningii L.), investigate the
physical properties viz; density and water absorption 2.3.1 Microscopic Analysis
and thermal properties viz; thermal conductivity, A specimen of about 3 cm diameter was cut from each
specific heat and thermal diffusivity. The performance of the boards for surface preparation. The surface of
of the boards from the two different materials was then interest on the cut samples were ground with abrasive
compared. In addition, micro structure analysis of the paper starting with coarse grit and finishing with a fine
boards was carried out using scanning electron grit. The surface was then thoroughly cleaned and
microscope (SEM). polished to reveal the surface contrast. The
microstructure analysis of the prepared board’s
2. MATERIALS AND METHOD samples was performed on the polished surfaces by
2.1 Materials Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
The major raw materials for this work are the bark
fibres and the leave fibres of Camel’s foot ( Piliostigma 2.3.2 Density
thonningii L.) which were collected from Girei Local The densities of the boards were determined in
Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Other accordance with the American Society for Testing and
materials include sodium hydroxide (NaOH), distilled Materials (ASTM) C303-02 (Standard test method for
water and Pre-treated natural rubber latex all of dimensions and density of preformed block and board
analytical grade obtained from Northern Scientific type thermal insulation) [13]. From each of the
Chemicals shop in Yola, Nigeria. produced boards, four (4) specimens of 60 mm x 60
mm were cut. The thickness, length and the width were
2.2 Materials Preparation and Moulding measured in three (3) different locations, with the
The major raw materials, which are the bark fibre and thickness measured generally near the four corners of
the leave fibres of Camel’s foot (Piliostigma thonningii each specimen and the average of each was determined
L.), were mercerized using 5%w/v sodium hydroxide and recorded. The volume of each specimen was then
(NaOH) solution at room temperature of 340C for 24 calculated.

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 COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THERMAL INSULATION BOARDS FROM LEAF AND BARK FIBRES OF CAMEL’S FOOT, M. Abubakar, et al

Each specimen was weighed using a digital weighing For each set of readings, the derived results were
balance and the mass recorded. The density of each tabulated under the following headings: heat flow Q =
specimen was then calculated using equation (1): IV; cross sectional area /4; temperature of hot
mass k face (Thot) and cold face (Tcold) which were determined
[ ⁄ ] (
using equations 2 and 3.
(
here T (
2.3.3 Water Absorption
The water absorption test was conducted according to (
T T (
ASTM D1037 (water absorption test method A) [13].
The specimens used in the determination of the density The temperature difference across the specimen was
were used since their masses and volumes were determined from equation 4
recorded. The water absorption was expressed as the T T T (
percentage increase in volume based on the volume The thermal conductivity (k) of the specimen was
before submersion. The specific gravity of the water calculated using Fourier rate equation given by
was assumed to be 1.0 for this purpose. equation 5.
Δx
( mK (
2.3.4 Apparent Thermal Conductivity
2.3.5 Specific Heat
The apparent thermal conductivity of the boards was
The specific heat test was conducted according to
determined in accordance with ASTM C518-02
ASTM C351-92b (Standard test method for mean
(Standard Test Method for Steady –State Thermal
specific heat of thermal insulation) (ASTM, 2004).
Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow
Meter Apparatus) [13]. The equipment used for the test
2.3.6 Thermal Diffusivity
was Armfield HT10XC Heat Transfer Service Unit and
The thermal diffusivity of the material was calculated
HT11C Computer Compatible Linear Heat Conduction
using equation (6) [14] as shown:
Accessory. From each of the boards, four (4) specimens
were cut in form of a disc with a diameter (d) of 25±1 (m s (
mm and the thickness (Δx was measured and
Where; k, and are the apparent thermal
recorded. A specimen was clamped tightly in between
conductivity, density and the specific heat of the
two faces of heated and cooled brass sections, the
material respectively as obtained from the experiments
heater voltage (V) was set to 10 volts and the heater
on thermal conductivity, density and specific heat.
current (I) was read from the console and recorded.
After HT11C was stabilised, the temperatures T1, T2, T3,
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
T6, T7 and T8 were also read and recorded from the
3.1 SEM Images
console display. Where T1, T2 and T3 are the
Plates 1 (a) – (d) show boards from the leave fibres
thermocouples connected to the heating section of the
with particles to binder ratio of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4,
instrument and T6, T7 and T8 are those connected to the
respectively.
cold section of the instrument.

a b c d

e f g h
Plate 1: SEM Micrograph of the Piliostigma thonningii L. fibre boards (400X)

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 COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THERMAL INSULATION BOARDS FROM LEAF AND BARK FIBRES OF CAMEL’S FOOT, M. Abubakar, et al

composition increases the percentage of water

absorption [15]. The result of T-test comparing the
mean percentage water absorption from the leave fibre
(LBF) and the bark fibre boards (BFB) shows that the
boards differ significantly from each other with the
bark fibre boards recording lower percentage water
absorption compared to the boards from the leave fibre
boards.
It can be observed that as the binder part in the ratio
Figure 1: Comparison of Densities of LFB and BFB at increases the particles concentration decreases. From
different compositions the SEM fibre histogram, it was observed that the
diameters of the fibres for the leave fibre boards range
between .0 to 8.9 μm while that of the bark fibre
boards ran e between . 7 and 0. μm. The ore
size histogram of the SEM also reveals the presence of
air spaces and their distribution within the surfaces of
the boards with the pore sizes ranging between 0.64
and 7 0 μm2 in the leave fibre boards while the pore
sizes in the bark fibre boards range between 0.64 and
8 μm2.

Figure 2: Percentage water absorption of LFB and BFB 3.2 Density

at different compositions Figure 1 presents the average densities of the boards
from the leaves fibres (LFB) and bark fibres (BFB). For
While (e) – (h) are boards from the bark fibres with the the leave fibre boards, the figure reveals that the
fibre to binder ratio of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4, densities of the boards at fibre to binder ratio of 1:1,
respectively. The SEM micrograph revealed that the 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 are 528.6 kg/m3, 529.3 kg/m3, 534.4
boards consist of particles which are bonded strongly kg/m3 and 538.4kg/m3 respectively. For the bark fibre
with each other and with the binder boards at fibre to binder ratio of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4
are 558.3 kg/m3, 673.3 kg/m3, 691.4 kg/m3 and 711.8
3.3 Water Absorption kg/m3 respectively. The result of t-test comparing the
The results of average water absorption properties of mean densities of the boards from LFB and BFB shows
the boards from leave fibre (LFB) and bark fibre (BFB) that there is significant difference in the average
at fibre to binder ratio of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 are densities of the boards at 5% significant level. From the
presented in Figure 2. The results indicate that for BFB results, it can be seen that the leaves fibre boards (LBF)
the percentage water absorption at fibre to binder ratio recorded correspondingly lower densities compared to
of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 are 25.02%, 17.72%, 14.43%, the boards from the bark fibres (BFB). The figure
and 13.23% respectively. On the other hand, the results shows that for both sam les the board’s densities
show that the LFB at fibre to binder ratio of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 increase as the part of the binder in the composition
and 1:4 have average water absorption of 36.51%, increases. This may be as a result of more binder
23.88%, 15.03%, and 12.03% respectively. available to flow into the air pores between the fibres
From the figure, it can be seen that the percentage on the surfaces of the board, in addition to the fact that
water absorption decreases as the fibre to binder ratio lignocellulose fibres have lower densities compared to
varies from 1:1 to 1:4. Thus, it can be deduced from polymeric materials; therefore, increasing the binder in
figures 1 and 2 that the percentage water absorption is the composition will reflect increase in density which is
inversely proportional to the density. This is because in agreement with the studies of Tangjuank and Kumfu
the lower density boards have higher voids and pores [4].
as a result absorbed higher moisture. In addition,
natural fibres derived from lignocellulose are
hydrophilic in nature which contain strongly polarized
group, thus, increasing the quantity of the fibre in a

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 COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THERMAL INSULATION BOARDS FROM LEAF AND BARK FIBRES OF CAMEL’S FOOT, M. Abubakar, et al

followed the characteristics hooked-shape graph

associated with loose-fill fibrous thermal insulation.
That is, as the density increases from minimum
possible value, the apparent thermal conductivity
decreases to a minimum and then increases as reported
by some researchers [16, 9, 5, and 17]. For the LFB the
lowest apparent thermal conductivity recorded at
density of 528 kg/m3 (1:1) while the highest apparent
thermal conductivity value occurs at density of 534
kg/m3 corresponding to 1:3 compositions. Similarly,
Figure 3: Comparison of Thermal Conductivity of LFB the BFB recorded the lowest apparent thermal
and BFB at different composition conductivity value at density of 691 kg/m3 (1:3) and
highest value at 558 kg/m3 density corresponding to
1:1 composition.

3.5 Specific Heat

Figure 4 presents the results of specific heat for both
leave and bark fibre boards at different fibre to binder
ratios. For LFB, the results show that the boards have
specific heat values of 2901.88 J/kg.K to 3656.48 J/kg.K
as the composition of fibre to binder ratio increases
from 1:1 to 1:4. While for the BFB, the results indicate
that the specific heat values are between 2044.46
J/kg.K and 2512.61 J/kg.K as the fibre to binder ratio is
Figure 4: Specific heat values for LFB and BFB at varied from 1:1 to 1:4. The result of t-test comparing
different compositions the relationship between the LFB and the BFB shows
that there is significant difference in the mean specific
heat of the boards. From the figure, it can be observed
that the leaves fibre boards recorded higher specific
heat values as compared to the bark fibre boards for all
compositions of the fibre to binder ratio.

3.6 Thermal Diffusivity

Figure 5 shows the thermal diffusivity values for LFB
and BFB at fibre to binder ratio of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4.
Figure 5: Thermal diffusivity values for LFB and BFB at For LFB, the thermal diffusivity values are between
different composition 2.03E-8m2/s and 8.07E-9m2/s while for BFB, the
thermal diffusivity values are between 1.57 E-8m2/s
3.4 Apparent Thermal Conductivity and 2.68E-8m2/s. The results of t-test comparing the
Figure 3 compares the apparent thermal conductivities two samples show that there is significant difference in
of the leave fibre boards (LFB) and that of the bark the mean value of the thermal diffusivity. From the
fibre boards (BFB) at different compositions. For the figure, it can be observed that the thermal diffusivity
LFB, the apparent thermal conductivity values at 1:1, decreases as portion of binder in the fibre to binder
1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 are 0.032096W/mK, 0.039928W/mK, ratio increases. This signifies that the thermal
0.040855W/mK and 0.036385W/mK respectively. For diffusivity is inversely proportional to the density.
the BFB, the apparent thermal conductivities at 1:1, 1:2,
1:3 and 1:4 are 0.043406W/mK, 0.040951W/mK, 3.7 Comparison of Density and Thermal Conductivity of
0.039439W/mK and 0.041488W/mK respectively. the Developed Boards with Other Insulating Materials
The result of t-test comparing the mean apparent Table 1 compares the measured apparent thermal
thermal conductivities of the boards from LFB and BFB conductivity and density of the developed boards with
shows that there is significant difference in the mean that of the standard products and published data on
thermal conductivity values of the boards. The result biodegradable thermal insulation.

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 COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THERMAL INSULATION BOARDS FROM LEAF AND BARK FIBRES OF CAMEL’S FOOT, M. Abubakar, et al

Table 1: Comparison of Density and Thermal Conductivity of the Prepared Boards with Other Insulating Material
Insulation material Thermal conductivity
Density (kg/m3) Source
(W/mK)
Piliostigma thonningii leaves fibre boards (LFB) 528-538 0.0321-0.0409 Present study
Piliostigma thonningii Bark fibre boards(BFB)s 558-711 0.0394-0.0434 Present study
Cork boards 100-220 0.045-0.08 [18]
Mineral wool 20-200 0.035-0.045 [18]
Polyurethane 30-100 0.017-0.024 [18]
wood fibre boards 30-270 0.04-0.09 [18]
Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) 25-45 0.028-0.032 [18]
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) 15-30 0.035-0.04 [18]
Vacuum Insulation panels (VIP) 150-300 0.002-0.008 [18]
Pineapple leaves 178-232 0.039-0.043 [2]
Oil Palm fibre 797 0.0555 [10]
Coconut husk 250-350 0.046-0.068 [7]
Bagasse 250- 350 0. 049-0.055 [7]
Corn cob 334 0.101 [6]
Straw 76.6 0.040-0.085 [12]
Papyrus fibre 232-266 0.0296-0.0304 [4]
Cotton stalk fibre 150-450 0.0585-0.0815 [19]
Narrowed leave cattail fibre 200-400 0.0438-0.0606 [20]

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