The effect of different density on the mechanical and thermal properties of mixed-hardwood particle board / Mia Syazwina Mahfuz

In this study, the effect of density on thermal and mechanical properties of mixed
hardwood particleboard was investigated. The preparation of mixed hardwood
particleboard was produced using hardwood particles. The resin or adhesive used to
bind the particles together was urea formaldehyde (UF). Under the same production
conditions, only the densities were varied. The particleboard were produced as 400
kg/m3, 500 kg/m3, and 600 kg/m3• The boards were then went through a series of
mechanical and thermal tests. Mechanical properties of the particleboard were
characterized by tensile (Modulus of Rupture, MOR), water absorption, and thickness
swelling while the thermal properties were characterized by thermal conductivity,
thermal diffusivity, and specific heat capacity. It was found that the MOR and thermal
conductivity increased linearly while thermal diffusivity, heat capacity, water
absorption, and thickness swelling decreases linearly with the increase in particleboard
density. The 400 kg/m3 has the highest specific heat capacity which is 1.49 J/kg.K and
lowest MOR, thermal conductivity, and thickness swelling which are 2.73 MPa,
0.1427 W/m.K, and 28.84% respectively. The 500 kg/m3 has the highest thermal
diffusivity which is 0.2553 mm2/s and thickness swelling which is 40.90%, while it
has the lowest specific heat capacity which is 1.17 J/kg.K. The 600 kg/m3 leads in the
MOR and thermal conductivity by having a value of 11.83 MPa and 0.1696 W/m.K
respectively. However, it has the lowest value of thermal diffusivity and water
absorption which are 0.2249 mm2/s and 115.97% respectively.