Cob: corn cobs-nylon fibers

[Charmaine]

Recently, I nearly bought an old feed mixer at auction to chop cobs 
(corn, not straw clay) for insulation. I think it would be great 
insulation and non-toxic. I abhor working with fiberglass, it just 
"feels"  unhealthy.Unfortunatly I live in the southwest where corn cobs 
are sorta rare. One might be able to get a load of cobs,chopped or whole 
from a feed mill if they live back east. Nothing but air and fiber. 
Would  it work? PAZ, Pedro
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Pedro--I read an article a while back that corn cobs were ground up and 
used for a building material, sorta like sawdust, in the Midwest in the 
1940s--50s...not much is known about it. But I imagine if it is coated 
well in clay then no "growth" of molds, etc... why not try it if you CAN 
get cobs.? or you can buy Con-Trol fibers-- from NyCon Co.  it's a nylon 
fiber, thinner than human hair, $3.00 for a little bag with enough for 
one full cement mixer load of mortar, etc.

ALso chopped fibres in jute, or papercrete insulation could be used too.

Charmaine

Ms. Charmaine  Taylor/ Taylor Publishing
http://www.dirtcheapbuilder.com    http://www.papercrete.com
PO Box 375, Cutten   CA 95534
707-441-1632     tms at northcoast.com