EFFECT OF CHEMICAL TREATMENT ON FIRE-RETARDANT PROPERTIES OF MEDIUM DENSITY COIR FIBER BOARDS

Coir fiber is a natural fiber extracted from the husk of coconut and medium-density panel boards made from coir are being investigated worldwide for their ability to substitute wood. Fire-retardant properties of the panel boards made from coir fiber need to be enhanced for its wider acceptance. In the present study, panel boards have been subjected to chemical treatment with an aqueous solution containing preservative boron compounds and the samples after treatment showed very significant improvement in resistance to flammability, flame penetration, and reduced rate of burning. The test for limiting oxygen index showed reduced values of ignitability, suggesting the use of the earlier methods to enhance the fire-retardant properties of coir fiber–based panel boards and use of the panels as substitute for wood-based applications.