Development of Popcorn Thermal Insulation Panels

Alarmingly, plastic waste is currently expanding at a global rate. Expanded polystyrene foam and other forms of global plastic garbage destroy ecosystems and choke the environment. Environmentally friendly alternatives must be taken into account. When it comes to insulation, Popcorn can be utilized as a substitute for plastic. This granular material can replace petroleum-based products now used in the industry in a long-term, cost-effective, ecologically responsible, and economical manner. Despite being made from petroleum-based insulation, Popcorn is easily recyclable when it has served its purpose, can be reused, and is made from renewable resources. in this study, a composite material is created by melting Popcorn with the biodegradable polymer polylactic acid (PLA). Thermal conductivity tests are performed on the composite sample, and it provided results at 25°C for composites with 10 wt.% filler content 0.0848 (W/ m.K) and composites with 30 wt.% filler content 0.1099 (W/m.K). When thermal stability is examined using thermogravimetry, it is discovered that the degradation temperature will be decreased when the filler content is increased. In order to understand the sample's microstructure, the sample's morphology is lastly examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). These findings suggest that Popcorn might be a good substitute for petroleum-based insulating materials to lessen the carbon footprint and CO2levels.