Mechanical and physical properties of particleboard from log core / Nor Athirah Soberi

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of resin content and board
density on the properties of particleboard composite. Single layered log core
particleboards bonded with melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF) resins
were manufactured. The amounts of resin at three levels of 8%, 10% and
12% and the density of particleboard at two levels of 600 kg/m3 and 700
kg/m3 were considered. The boards produced were evaluated for their
modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), internal bonding
(IB), thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) in accordance with
the British Standard 312-4:2003. Increasing the density from 600 kg/m3 to
700 kg/m3 led to an increase in MOR, MOE and IB. By increasing the
density, water absorption of particleboard decreased but its thickness
swelling increased. By increasing the resin content, the mechanical
properties of particleboard improved, although this improvement was not
statistically significant. Furthermore, by increasing the resin content, the
dimensional stability of particleboard improved partially. Mechanical
properties exposed that board with higher density, 700 kg/m3 with the higher
resin content of 12% shows the highest value for MOR (9.61 MPa), MOE
(2190 MPa) and IB (1.56 MPa). While, for the physical properties, board
density 600 kg/m with resin content 12% had the best TS for both 2 hours
(24.63%) and 24 hours (27.68%). Therefore, particleboard from log core
waste with highest board density and resin content has a potential as an
alternative raw material to produce particleboard and other wood-based
product for furniture industry.