Analysis of agricultural waste material properties for producing composite resin sheets from coconut fiber mixed with coffee grounds for product design

Abstract The objective is to test mechanical properties of agricultural waste materials for application in product design by forming composite resin sheets from coconut fiber mixed with coffee grounds in ratios of 80:20, 70:30, and 60:40. The process involves mixing urea formaldehyde resin and water in a 1.5:1 ratio, using 150 grams of urea formaldehyde resin mixed with 100 grams of water. Coffee grounds powder and coconut fiber are manually mixed according to the formula, using 50 grams of coconut fiber in all formulas. The mold is prepared by spraying release agent on stainless steel sheets lining both top and bottom. Air bubbles are removed by baking at 150 degrees for 2 minutes, then pressing at 50 bar pressure at 150 degrees for 20 minutes, followed by cooling to room temperature. Results show tensile strength properties of 8.67, 9.45, and 10.31 MPa, passing the industrial standard of 0.45 MPa. Increasing coffee grounds from 20, 30, and 40 grams resulted in higher tensile strength at breaking point (8.67, 9.45, and 10.31 MPa) and increased elongation at maximum force (1.22, 1.35, and 1.39%). Bending resistance tests showed increased values at breaking point (4.21, 5.83, and 6.93 MPa) while elongation decreased (8.46, 4.96, and 5.00%). This indicates increased bending resistance with more coffee grounds (5.13, 5.86, 6.93 MPa), but still below the 15 MPa standard for flat particleboard (TIS 876 - 2547). Coffee grounds decreased surface roughness of the composite sheet (1.437, 1.627, and 1.679 µm), suggesting that coffee grounds should not exceed coconut fiber content. This is an application of agricultural materials used in industrial products. It creates environmental benefits by using these materials in the composite sheet production process, helping to reduce waste and pollution. This includes using sustainable resources like coconut fiber, which is a fast-growing material that can be recycled. Coffee grounds, a byproduct of coffee consumption, help reduce natural resource destruction and plastic use. From an economic and industrial perspective, these materials can add value, creating opportunities to increase income for farmers or agricultural waste material producers, thereby establishing new markets. Using natural and recycled materials in products can open new markets for consumers interested in environmentally friendly products in the furniture manufacturing and interior decoration industries. The key points emphasize how agricultural waste materials like coconut fiber and coffee grounds can be transformed into valuable composite sheets, offering both environmental sustainability and economic opportunities.