The Production and Properties of Ceiling Plate (T-BAR) Made from the Top of Physic Nut Stem

Abstract

          The objective of research was to study the production and properties of ceiling plate (T-BAR) made from the top of physic nut stem. In this research, the top of physic nut stem with dry condition was mixed with DMI epoxy (isocyanate glue), and then compressed by pressure with heat. Different proportion of those two materials were used in order to determine the appropriate mixed proportion. Three samples with the size of 300×300×10 mm were obtained for testing the properties according to TIS 876-2547 standard, including moisture content, density, water absorption and expansion after immersing in water, internal bond, bending strength, and modulus of elasticity. The result from experiments showed that the suitable sizes of physic nut stem should not exceed 2 centimeters, and the appropriate proportion between physic nut stem and isocyanate glue were the ratio of 95% per 5. The temperature that should be used in compressing was at 120°C. The suitable density for ceiling plate was obtained at 0.80 g/cm.3 The moisture content of ceiling material before compressing was average at 8.97%. The suitable compressed pressure was 150 lb./in². Moreover, it was found that the production of ceiling plate (T-BAR) could be passed the test according to Thailand industrial standard (TIS876-2547) as follows: water content, density, bending strength and internal bond. However, it couldn’t be passed the tests as follows: thickness swelling in 2-hour water immersion and modulus of elasticity. In the overall aspect, physic nut stem could be made to produce ceiling plate (T-BAR).