Tiger Grass Pollen as a Potential Insulation Board Material

Abstract

Tiger Grass (Thysanolaena Maxima) pollen is disregarded as a valuable agricultural waste; thus, this study investigates its potential and beneficial uses as an alternative building insulation material with arrowroot starch as binder. Samples were prepared in varying mix proportions by weight of the tiger grass pollen, water, and arrowroot starch as binding agent. Three different sample mixtures were prepared into particleboards with thickness ranges from 8 mm to 10 mm and air-dried for 10 days. These particle boards were tested for acoustics, thickness swelling, water absorption and thermal conductivity. Based on the tests conducted, mixtures B – 250 grams - tiger grass pollen and 125 grams - arrowroot starch which is equivalent to 50% of the tiger grass pollen weight; and mixture C: 250 grams - tiger grass pollen with 150 grams - arrowroot starch which is equivalent to 60% of the tiger grass pollen weight demonstrated acceptable results having met the allowable limit values or minimum standards set for the properties used.