Maize Cob Board (MCB) - Light weight material from agricultural by-products

Maize cobs accrue as an agricultural by-product can be used for a core material of light weight panels with good material properties and insulation characteristics. The aim is to work out a concept for the production and optimisation of material properties.

Titel und Synopse

Maize Cob Board (MCB) - Leichtbauwerkstoff aus Landwirtschaftlichen Koppelprodukten

Maisspindeln, welche als landwirtschaftliches Koppelprodukt anfallen, können zu einer leichten Kernschicht für Leichtbauplatten mit guten Festigkeits- und Dämmwerten verarbeitet werden. Ziel ist die Entwicklung eines umsetzbaren Herstellungsverfahrens und Optimierung der Materialeigenschaften.


Project description / tasks

Status

ongoing

Summary

Initial situation

Despite their low density (in the range between 180 to 200 kg/m³), maize cobs exhibit high compressive strength in axial direction. Due to the foamy structure of the lignified core the cobs show good insulating properties. Furthermore, the availability of the raw material is guaranteed by the world wide maize production. One of the benefits of a light weight panel made of maize cobs is the possibility of utilizing agricultural entities as raw materials which are up to now rarely used. Test specimen of light weight panels comprising maize cobs as core layer (maize cob boards, MCBs) were already produced and examined. Mechanical stability of these MCBs was found to lie in the range of particle boards which fulfils the requirements of furniture and door production. Additionally, the MCBs show a low density in the range of 250 to 300 kg/m³ which justifies their denomination as light weight panels. Compared to products based on particle boards, MCB derived products show a reduction in weight by a factor of 50%.

Content and objective

As a result of the increasing energetic use of primary raw materials a shortage of resources in wood industry is assumed. Consequently, the development of a biological light weight panel based on cheap and available raw materials which are technologically and economically competitive to existing materials is of outstanding importance. First inquires suggested that the novel light weight panel is applicable in the interior market (doors and partition panels) as well as the furniture production. Test specimen of this light weight panel were investigated, however, a complete description of the relevant properties is lacking. On the other hand, the processability of the panel has to be determined. Finally, a detailed manufacturing concept as well as its technological implementation will be developed.

Expected results

The manufacturing technologies of the light weight panel will be developed in laboratory scale based mostly on existing machines. Critical issues are: i) cutting the maize cobs into section with equal length and ii) the formation of the core layer, meaning the assembling of the maize cobs sections in the middle layer. Special and fixture constructions for cutting the cobs as well as for assembling will be developed and realized in a laboratory scale. The material properties of the MCBs (swelling/shrinking, mechanical stabilities, thermal resistance, acoustic absorption, etc.) will be described.

A further result of the project is the systematic identification and registration of raw material suppliers in and outside of Austria including the recording of availability and prices. Based on the supply situation a calculation of the raw material costs, the storage and delivery costs is possible.

Finally, a basic concept for the technical and economical implementation as well as the technological production possibilities will be provided. Based on the study, a production schedule, a concept of pilot plant as well as a business plan will be developed, enabling the realisation of the MCB production in cooperation with financial and/or project partners.


Project partners

Project management

DI Dr. Ulrich Müller
Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH

Project or cooperation partner


Contact address

DI Dr. Ulrich Müller
Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH
Bereich Massivholz und Holzverbundwerkstoffe
An der Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Institut für Holzforschung
Peter Jordan Straße 82
A-1190 Wien, Österreich
Tel.: +43 (1) 47654-4252
E-Mail: ulrich.mueller@kplus-wood.at
Internet: www.wood-kplus.at


FFG ID: 819205

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