Sustainable materials from agro-waste are attempted for thermal insulation applications in the current project. Synthetic polymeric materials are widely used for insulation in mobility and infrastructure due to their low thermal conductivity, lightweight, and low cost. However, due to increased environmental concerns, researchers are looking for environmental friendly natural materials. In the present study, sustainable thermal insulation materials are developed by leveraging Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology and using natural materials like coir pith and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA). The addition of coir pith resulted in a noticeable reduction in the thermal conductivity of composite panels made using the AM technique due to its inherent low thermal conductivity and porous structure. Novel designs were developed using an additive manufacturing approach with architected interior design and the efficiency of designs is demonstrated using numerical and experimental studies. This study highlights the potential of agro-waste-based materials in promoting sustainable and efficient solutions for thermal insulation applications.
Keywords: Sustainable materials, Agro waste, Additive Manufacturing, Architected Design, Thermal Insulation,