Mechanical, thermal and acoustical characterizations of an insulation composite made of bio-based materials

• The composites were prepared using corn-stalk particles.
• The insulation materials satisfy requirements of ASTM.
• Insulation materials that can be exploited commercially.
• This study can solve utilize agricultural waste.
• Waste materials can be utilized for the preparation of commercially feasible.

Heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer, nowadays, are very high and these costs a can be reduced by the insulation of buildings. This study is related to the development of bio-based composites and the determination of their thermal, mechanical and acoustical insulation properties. The composites were prepared using corn stalk particles as the reinforcement components. An experimental design was established to study the effect of the stalk particle size and the epoxy/corn stalk particle ratio on the thermal and mechanical properties of the composites prepared. Their mechanical properties and thermal performance characteristics are compared with the commercially available bio-based insulation materials.This study shows that waste corn-on-the-cob can be used for the reinforcement of epoxy resin to prepare insulation materials that can be used commercially. Natural products of high insulating value can be obtained that can provide alternative insulation materials and reduce the import of insulation materials and satisfy the criteria of the Turkish Standard TS 805 EN 601. The results of this study can solve two industrial problems. One of them is providing a new useful construction material and the other is utilizing agricultural wastes to reduce their harm to the environment.