Development of Sound-Absorbing Materials from Waste Reed Fibers: Utilizing Byproducts from Dee Bang Sa Khao Community Reed Mat Enterprise, Chanthaburi

Abstract

“Chanthaboon reed mats” are a unique local product that represents the traditional wisdom and heritage of reed weaving in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand. However, the production and processing of these mats generate a considerable amount of reed fiber waste, which is not easily biodegradable.  In response to this community issue, the objective of this research is to enhance the value of such waste materials by applying technology and innovation to design and develop sound-absorbing materials from reed pulp. The study aimed to determine the optimal conditions for fabricating the sound-absorbing materials using waste reed mat fibers. The results revealed that the most suitable condition involved soaking the waste fibers in a 15% by weight sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution, based on the dry weight of the material, and forming the product with a thickness of 25 millimeters. Under these conditions, the sound-absorbing material achieved a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.50 and a tensile strength of 0.40 ± 0.13 MPa. Flammability tests demonstrated that the reed pulp sound-absorbing materials met all UL94 standard criteria, confirming their flame-retardant properties and suitability for indoor installation.