Evaluating the Mechanical Performance of Eco-Fiberboards Made from Varying Ratios of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and Laundry Lint Microfibers
Document Types
Paper Presentation
School Name
Adamson University
Track or Strand
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)
Filler, June Ray, O.
Start Date
25-6-2025 10:30 AM
End Date
25-6-2025 12:00 PM
Zoom Link/ Room Assignment
https://zoom.us/j/93354901415?pwd=TJIXX1qaCpKkpdzgAB5viRCb0URF9d.1 Meeting ID: 933 5490 1415 Passcode: 343455
Abstract/Executive Summary
This study explored the viability of hybrid eco-fiberboards as an alternative to commercially available fiberboards. It aimed to evaluate the mechanical performance of water hyacinth (WH) and laundry lint (LL) microfibers, bound within a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix to create a sustainable fiberboard. Three experimental groups with varying fiber ratios were tested for tensile and flexural strength. The results were then compared to medium-density commercial fiberboards (Positive Control), which served as a benchmark. The flexural test showed that the experimental group with the highest LL content had a maximum strength of 35.13 MPa, comparable to the control group, indicating that more LL fibers may have increased stiffness. However, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) showed significant differences in tensile strength as the experimental groups performed lower than the control group, probably due to air pockets in the specimens. Rejection of the null hypothesis for tensile strength indicates that the experimental groups did not perform equally to commercial fiberboards under tension. These findings show that hybrid composites have potential for non-load bearing applications, while simultaneously providing a sustainable way of recycling LL and managing the WH overgrowth. However, it also highlights more refinement in composite creation to improve tensile performance and contribute to a broader use in construction and manufacturing. A posttest-only design was implemented in this study to assess the material properties of the specimen ratios, and Tukey’s HSD was used to determine pairwise comparisons between groups after a significant ANOVA result.
Keywords
composites; fiberboards; laundry lint; mechanical performance; water hyacinth
Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)
Materials Engineering (MEN)
Initial Consent for Publication
yes
Statement of Originality
yes
Evaluating the Mechanical Performance of Eco-Fiberboards Made from Varying Ratios of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and Laundry Lint Microfibers
This study explored the viability of hybrid eco-fiberboards as an alternative to commercially available fiberboards. It aimed to evaluate the mechanical performance of water hyacinth (WH) and laundry lint (LL) microfibers, bound within a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix to create a sustainable fiberboard. Three experimental groups with varying fiber ratios were tested for tensile and flexural strength. The results were then compared to medium-density commercial fiberboards (Positive Control), which served as a benchmark. The flexural test showed that the experimental group with the highest LL content had a maximum strength of 35.13 MPa, comparable to the control group, indicating that more LL fibers may have increased stiffness. However, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) showed significant differences in tensile strength as the experimental groups performed lower than the control group, probably due to air pockets in the specimens. Rejection of the null hypothesis for tensile strength indicates that the experimental groups did not perform equally to commercial fiberboards under tension. These findings show that hybrid composites have potential for non-load bearing applications, while simultaneously providing a sustainable way of recycling LL and managing the WH overgrowth. However, it also highlights more refinement in composite creation to improve tensile performance and contribute to a broader use in construction and manufacturing. A posttest-only design was implemented in this study to assess the material properties of the specimen ratios, and Tukey’s HSD was used to determine pairwise comparisons between groups after a significant ANOVA result.
https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2025/poster_men/1