Coconut Fiber Cement Board (CFB) is a panel manufactured from the mixture of fibrous materials like coconut coir or shredded woody portion of coconut tree and Portland cement at a ratio of 60-70% cement to 30 -40% fiber by weight. It is made by forming the cement-fiber mixture into mats and pressing them to the desired thickness.

Coconut Fiber Cement Board

Coconut Fiber Cement Board

Research studies conducted at PCA-ZRC have shown that CFB panels have good strength properties and high dimensional stability when soaked in water (water absorption of 32% and thickness swelling of 4.2%) surpassing the minimum requirements set by PHILSA-Standard 105-1975. It has low thermal conductivity (k-value 0f 0.90 W/mk) which indicates its excellent insulation properties, thus it can be used as roofing materials even without ceiling. Flame test showed that, while the board can be burned, it is rather slow with minimal smoke emission.

Exposure test of paint-coated CFB roof sheets has demonstrated their capability to withstand the deleterious effect of weathering found in actual service condition.

Uses of Coconut Fiber Cement Board (CFB)

– CFB can replace traditional construction materials such as tiles, bricks, plywood, asbestos and cement hollow blocks.
– Roof Sheathing
– Base support for upper level flooring
– Internal and exterior walls, partitions and ceiling
– It can be used for or as a component in the fabrication of furniture (tables, chairs, desks, etc.), cabinets, boxes and vases.

MANUFACTURING PROCESS

The production of Coconut Fiber Cement Board (CFB) involves the following steps:

1. Soaking of dried husk in tap water for 24 to 48 hours
2. Decorticating of husk to produce fibers
3. Soaking of fibers in separate dipping tank for 2 days to remove the extractives
4. Draining of the fibers
5. Mixing the required amount of fiber, cement and water in the blending machine
6. Mat-forming using wooden form box and plywood cauls lined with plastic sheets
7. Pressing the mat to the desired thickness for 24 hours using the hydraulic press machine
8. Fillet-stacking for air drying/conditioning
10. Drying and conditioning of the boards
11. Trimming/sizing of the boards

EQUIPMENT/MACHINERY

The major equipment used in the manufacture of CFB are all fabricated locally except the lifter and include the following:

1. Decorticating machine
2. Hydraulic press
3. Blending machine
4. Trimming machine
5. Lifter

Mr. LUISITO J. PEÑAMORA
Division Chief III
PCA-Zamboanga Research Center
San Ramon, 7000 Zamboanga City
E-mail: pca_zrc@dslpldt.net Tel/Fax 062-9820302

Source: neda.gov.ph

By BD

4 thoughts on “Coconut Fiber Cement Board (CFB)”
  1. Good evening po, We are a micro NGO based in Puerto Princesa City, promoting biodynamic/organic agriculture. Due to what happened to our farmhouse and plants due to Typoon Odette last Dec. 17, 2021 (part of the roof of our small farmhouse was blown away; our own office was flooded since the window panels gave way to the extremely strong winds which were carrying the rain horizontally under the window panels, causing all documents and training materials to be soaked-it took us more than 3 weeks to dry all our documents and stuff), we are exploring the use of a 20-footer container van as our staffhouse (this way we can make the office secure from leaks, insects, rodents). The idea is to stand this container van under the mango trees. We know though that we will still be faced with maintaining a good livable temperature in the container van. As we are also promoting eco-friendly building alternatives (we do not like the idea of using an airconditioner), we are exploring the use of coco fiber/cement boards as insulation material. Questions now are: 1)where can we source these boards; 2) is it possible to just make an inner panel throughout the container van’s wall and ceiling, and stuff cocofiber (let’s say 4 inches thick) between the panel and the outer metal wall/ceiling. We would be VERY GRATEFUL for any assistance that you could lend us. We could also call you or set up a zoom meeting, if these be deemed helpful. My number is 0920-9481464; our office phone is 048-7162514. Thanks in advance!

  2. Well when it comes to durability no doubt fiber cement is the better option. It can withstand extreme cold w/o any effect unlike aluminum and it has the advantage over wood since it is not combustible. Though its quite expensive even if its cheaper than wood and its a little heavy so installation can be a problem too… the good thing about it is that its advantages are a lot more compared to its minor downside. <a href="http://www.eaglecement.com.ph/"> Cement Supplier Philippines </a>.

  3. Ano po ba ang standard/acceptable values or range para properties(tensile strength, percent elongation. water absorbance at thickness swelling) ng biocomposite?

    para sa thesis ko po.

    Thank you po.

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