Eichhornia crassipes (WATER HYACINTH) FIBER AS A

COMPONENT IN MAKING FIBER BOARD AS SUBSTITUTE

FOR HARDIFLEX

A Research Proposal

Presented to the Faculty of

Rizal National Science High School

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements in Research I

Xyrus Marvin Z. Cruz

II-Polite
 Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

This chapter discusses the Background of the Study, Scopes and Limitations,

Statement of the Problem, and the Significance of the Study.

Background of the Study

Water hyacinths are now a great problem in our environment and in our

agriculture. It grows unexpectedly on lakes, rivers and other bodies of water. It affects the

marine life underneath a lot. It prevents the sunlight to pass through and be absorbed by

the plants underwater. The roots of water hyacinth use up the oxygen in the water which

the fish need to live. Boats cannot also travel on waterways because of water hyacinths

scattered.

The fiber of its stem can be use to create a fiber board which can be used as a

divider or ceiling in houses or hardiflex. It is also composed of waste materials such as

sawdust, dried rice husk and coconut waste. This construction material has properties

better than normal construction material. It has many advantages when it was used in the

construction such as: it is termite- free material, it lasts longer when set to fire and it is

firmer than other materials.

Hence, the researcher aims to develop a fiber board made up of recycled materials

which can be substitute for hardiflex or a construction material in the house.

 Statement of the Problem

The research study sought to answer the following questions:

1. Is it feasible to create a fiber board which can be a substitute for hardiflex with

water hyacinth as one of its components?

2. What will be the level of effectiveness of fiber board in terms of the following:

a. Tensile strength

b. Fire resistance

Significance of the Study

The controlling of the number of water hyacinths is a serious environmental and

agricultural problem. This study can help in controlling their number and lessen their

population.

Scope and Limitation

The vicinity of the study is in Binangonan, Rizal because this is where the

materials can be found and where the study will be conducted. The study will be

conducted from October 2010 to January 2011.

 Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter discusses the Review of Related Literature and Studies and the

Definition of Terms.

Related Literature

As cited from “Water hyacinth” from The World Book Encyclopedia, water

hyacinth is a plant that grows chiefly in the tropical regions of the world. It floats on

lakes, rivers, tres above the water. It has as many as 38 purple flowers grouped around

the top of the stem.

Diseases and insects control the growth of water hyacinths in South America,

where the plants first grew. But in regions where people have introduced the plant, there

are no natural controls on its growth. In those regions, water hyacinths are a serious

environmental problem because they grow so fast. They form floating mats that can cover

entire water surfaces and destroy the plant and animal life below. Plants need sunlight to

live, and fish must have oxygen. The thick growth of water hyacinths blocks the sunlight,

and the roots of the plants use up the oxygen in the water. In addition, boats cannot travel

on waterways that are choked with water hyacinths.

According to “Fibreboard” from The World Book Encyclopedia, fibreboard is a

building material made of wood or other plant fibers pressed into sheets. Builders used it

as insulation, as wall covering, and as a base for plastering and floor covering. It is also

used for making furniture. Manufacturers make fiberboard chiefly from wood, but also
use waste paper, straw, sugar cane, and maize stalks. Other materials, such as asphalt and

rosin, may be added to increase strength or resistance to fire, decay, or moisture.

As discussed from “Fiber board” from Wikipedia.org, fiberboard is a type of

engineered wood product that is made out of wood fibers. Types of fiberboard (in order

of increasing density) include particle board, medium-density fiberboard, and hardboard.

Fiberboard is sometimes used as a synonym for particle board, but particle board usually

refers to low-density fiberboard. Plywood is not a type of fiberboard, as it is made of thin

sheets of wood, not wood fibers or particles. Fiberboard, particularly medium-density

fiberboard (MDF), is heavily used in the furniture industry. For pieces that will be

visible, a veneer of wood is often glued onto fiberboard to give it the appearance of

conventional wood.

Based from “How fiber board is made” from www.madehow.com,composite forest

products, or engineered wood, refer to materials made of wood that are glued together. In

the United States, roughly 21 million tons (21.3 million metric tons) of composite wood

are produced annually. The more popular composites materials include plywood,

blockboard, fiberboard, particleboard, and laminated veneer lumber. Most of these

products are based on what were previously waste wood residues or little used or non-

commercial species. Very little raw material is lost in composites manufacture.

Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is a generic term for a panel primarily composed

of lignocellulosic fibers combined with a synthetic resin or other suitable bonding system

and bonded together under heat and pressure. The panels are compressed to a density of

0.50 to 0.80 specific gravity (31-50 lb/ft.3) Additives may be introduced during
manufacturing to improve certain properties. Because fiberboard can be cut into a wide

range of sizes and shapes, applications are many, including industrial packaging,

displays, exhibits, toys and games, furniture and cabinets, wall paneling, molding, and

door parts.

The surface of MDF is flat, smooth, uniform, dense, and free of knots and grain

patterns, making finishing operations easier and consistent. The homogenous edge of

MDF allows intricate and precise machining and finishing techniques. Trim waste is also

significantly reduced when using MDF compared to other substrates. Improved stability

and strength are important assets of MDF, with stability contributing to holding precise

tolerances in accurately cut parts. It is an excellent substitute for solid wood in many

interior applications. Furniture manufacturers are also embossing the surface with three-

dimensional designs, since MDF has such an even texture and consistent properties.

Related Studies

Based from Markland, Kenneth Ian (2003), a fiber board for use as a construction

material includes self adhering compressed fragments of water-hyacinth. The fiber board

preferably additionally includes one of glue, sand, cement, sawdust, metal filings, dried

rice husk, banana fiber, lime and coconut waste, integrated into the self adhering

fragments of water hyacinth. A method of manufacturing a fiber board includes the steps

of gathering quantities of water-hyacinth from the surfaces of bodies of water; chopping

and pulping the quantities of water-hyacinth into fragments; providing the fragments with

moisture; and compressing the moist fragments into a desired fiber board shape.
Definition of Terms

The following terms could help you understand the study more.

Water hyacinth- contains fibers which can be use as a component of fiber board.

Hardiflex-is a construction material used as divider or ceiling in houses.

 Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter discusses the Methods of Research, Sources of Data, instruments and

materials used and procedures done in the research study.

Methods of Research

The study will use an experimental approach. It is highly controlled research

which will involve manipulated treatments of an independent variable.

In this study, the independent variable will be the fiber from water hyacinth while

the dependent variable will be the fiber board which will be the end of the study.

Sources of Data

The researcher used different sources in making this research project, the Internet

and books were of great help in gathering data.

Data Gathering Materials

The materials will be use to create a fiber board are: glue, sand, cement, sawdust,

metal filings, dried rice husk, banana fiber, lime and coconut waste, integrated into the

self adhering fragments of water hyacinth.

Data Gathering Procedures

A. Product

The fibers from the stems of water hyacinths will be compressed and glued

together with the other components of a fiber board.

B. Testing

The product will be brought to the Department of Science and Technology to test

if the property of it has the same properties of a fiber board.

Conceptual Model of the Study

Getting of Compression Gluing

fibers from water of water hyacinths together of

hyacinths’ stem. fibers. compressed water

hyacinth and
Figure 1
wood.