ACADEMIC YEAR: 2024-25

INVESTIGATORY PROJECT REPORT

TO STUDY THE USE AND IMPACT OF RECYCLED

MATERIALS FOR THERMAL INSULATION

ROLL NO :

NAME : MONISH KUMAR M R

CLASS : XII ‘A’

SUBJECT : PHYSICS

SUB CODE : 042

PROJECT GUIDE: Mrs. SMITHA SANTHOSH NAIR

PGT (PHYSICS)

GURUKUL HIGH SCHOOL

BENGALURU, KARNATAKA

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 CERTIFICATE

This is to certified to be bona fide work of the MONISH KUMAR M R, CBSE Roll

No:_________________ in INVESTIGATORY PROJECT titled USE AND IMPACT

OF RECYCLED MATERIALS FOR THERMAL INSULATION in the subject of

PHYSICS (042) laid down in the regulations of CBSE for the purpose of Practical

Examination in Class XII to be held in GURUKUL HIGH SCHOOL BENGALURU

on_____________________.

Signature of External Examiner Signature of Principal

Name: _______________________ Name: ____________________

Signature: ____________________ Signature: _________________

Examiner Number: _____________

Signature of Internal Examiner:

Name: _______________________

Signature: ____________________

Examiner Number: _____________

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has
played a significant role in the successful completion of my physics project. It is with deep
appreciation that I acknowledge the guidance and support provided by my respected Physics
Teacher, Mrs. Smitha Santhosh Nair. Her expertise and unwavering support were
instrumental in helping me complete this project within the specified time frame.

I am equally grateful to my institution Gurukul High School, J.P. Nagar, Bangalore and my
school principal Dr. Gowri Prabha Prasad for providing the necessary resources and creating
an environment conducive to project development.

I am also the other staff members of my school for their constant guidance, vigilance and
support. The combined contributions of all these individuals have made this project a reality,
and I am truly thankful for their support.

I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to my parents and family members for their constant
support throughout this project. Their encouragement and understanding of the subject
matter were invaluable. I’d also like to thank my friends for their constant encouragement
and collaborative efforts, which significantly contributed to making this project a success.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE
SL.No DESCRIPTION
NO

1. OBJECTIVES/ AIM OF THE PROJECT 05

2. INTRODUCTION/ THEORY 05

3. MATERIALS REQUIRED 06

4. PROCEDURE 07

5. OBSERVATION/ RESULT 08

6. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 09

7. LIMITATIONS 09

8. PRECAUTION 10

9. CONCLUSION 10

10. BIBLIOGRAPHY/ REFERENCES 11

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OBJECTIVE

The objective of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of various recycled materials—
specifically recycled denim, coconut coir, recycled paper, and jute fibre—as thermal
insulators. The goal is to measure and compare their thermal insulation properties and assess
their environmental impact and practicality for use in building insulation.

INTRODUCTION / THEORY

Thermal Insulation: Thermal insulation refers to materials that reduce the rate of heat
transfer between two areas of different temperatures. Effective insulation helps in
maintaining energy efficiency in buildings by minimizing heat loss in winter and reducing
heat gain in summer. Common insulation materials have low thermal conductivity, which
means they resist the flow of heat.

Recycled Materials: Using recycled materials for insulation not only helps in reducing waste
but also lowers the environmental impact of manufacturing new products. Recycled
materials can offer comparable or sometimes superior insulation properties compared to
traditional materials.

Materials and their properties:

1. Recycled Denim Insulation:

o Theory: Made from post-consumer cotton garments, denim insulation is treated

to be fire-resistant. Cotton fibres have inherent insulating properties due to their
structure, which traps air and reduces heat transfer.

2. Coconut Coir:

o Theory: Derived from the husk of coconuts, coir is a natural fibre with good
thermal insulation properties. Its structure provides resistance to heat transfer
and helps in maintaining stable indoor temperatures.

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 3. Recycled Paper (Cellulose) Insulation:

o Theory: Made from recycled paper, cellulose insulation is treated with fire
retardants. The fibrous nature of cellulose provides effective thermal resistance,
and its ability to settle into wall cavities ensures minimal air gaps.

4. Jute Fiber:

o Theory: Jute, a natural fibre obtained from the jute plant, has insulating
properties due to its fibrous texture. It is biodegradable and a sustainable option,
though it may require treatment to enhance its durability and fire resistance.

MATERIALS REQUIRED

1. Recycled denim insulation

2. Coconut coir

3. Recycled paper insulation (cellulose)

4. Jute fibre

5. Insulation testing apparatus (e.g., insulated box, heat source, thermometer)

6. Measuring tools (e.g., rulers, scales)

7. Data recording sheets

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PROCEDURE

1. Preparation:

o Prepare insulation samples from each material with consistent thickness (e.g., 5
cm).

o Set up an insulated testing box with a heat source and a thermometer to measure
internal temperature.

2. Testing:

o Place each insulation material between the heat source and the thermometer.

o Start the test by turning on the heat source and record the initial temperature
inside the box.

o After one hour, record the temperature inside the box again.

o Calculate the temperature difference to determine the effectiveness of each

material.

3. Recording Data:

o Repeat the test three times for each material to ensure accuracy.

o Record all observations in the provided data sheets.

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OBSERVATION / RESULT

Here is an example of an observation table with fabricated data for illustration purposes:

Initial Temperature Temperature Thermal

Material Temperature After 1 Hour Difference Conductivity Comments
(°C) (°C) (°C) (W/mK)

Good thermal
Recycled
25°C 27°C 2°C 0.04 performance; easy
Denim
to handle.

Moderate
Coconut
25°C 27.5°C 2.5°C 0.05 insulation;
Coir
abundant in India.

Effective but less

Recycled
25°C 28°C 3°C 0.06 durable; cost-
Paper
effective.

Natural and
biodegradable;
Jute Fiber 25°C 28.2°C 3.2°C 0.07
moderate
performance.

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ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

• Recycled Denim: Demonstrates effective thermal insulation with a low temperature

difference and thermal conductivity, making it a strong candidate for insulation.

• Coconut Coir: Offers moderate insulation but is slightly less effective than denim. Its
natural abundance makes it a practical choice in many regions.

• Recycled Paper: Provides effective insulation but has a higher thermal conductivity
and is less durable over time compared to other materials.

• Jute Fiber: Shows moderate insulation performance. Although it is natural and

sustainable, it may not be as effective as denim or coir.

LIMITATIONS

1. Recycled Denim:

o Higher cost compared to some other recycled materials.

o Potential moisture absorption can affect insulation properties.

2. Coconut Coir:

o Can degrade over time if exposed to moisture.

o May have lower insulating efficiency compared to some synthetic materials.

3. Recycled Paper:

o Settles over time, leading to reduced insulation effectiveness.

o Can absorb moisture, which might affect performance.

4. Jute Fiber:

o Requires treatment for durability and fire resistance.

o May not provide as effective insulation as other materials.

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PRECAUTIONS

1. Ensure consistent thickness and density for all insulation samples.

2. Avoid exposure of insulation materials to moisture during testing.

3. Handle materials carefully to prevent contamination or damage.

4. Maintain accurate and consistent temperature measurements.

CONCLUSION

The project demonstrates that recycled materials like denim, coconut coir, recycled paper,
and jute fibre can be effective for thermal insulation. Each material has unique advantages
and limitations. Recycled denim showed the best overall performance, while coconut coir
and jute fibre offered moderate insulation. Recycled paper was effective but less durable.
These materials offer sustainable alternatives to traditional insulation and can contribute to
reducing environmental impact.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY / REFERENCES

1. "Sustainable Building Materials and Resources." National Institute of Building

Sciences. [Online Resource]

2. "Recycled Materials for Insulation: Benefits and Applications." Journal of Building

Physics.

3. NCERT Physics Textbook for Class XII.

4. "Thermal Insulation Properties of Various Materials." Construction and Building

Materials Journal.

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