Potential of cassava as particleboard raw material / Nur ‘Izzati Ismail

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz sp) stems residues were mostly abandoned due to
improper waste management in agricultural field after its roots were harvested. Study
on the fundamental properties of cassava and information gained could assist on its
application as particleboard. In this research, physical and chemical properties of
cassava stems were assessed. Physical properties involved were moisture content,
specific gravity together with shrinkage and swelling while chemical properties tested
were lignin content, hot water solubility, alcohol-toluene solubility, 1% sodium
hydroxide test, holocellulose content and ash content. Particleboards were fabricated
from it and basic properties were related with the board’s physical and mechanical
properties. 7%, 10% and 13% resin content were used according to the locations along
the stem height (top, middle, and bottom). From the chemical analysis, the extractive
contents (alcohol toluene and hot water), holocellulose, lignin and ash content show a
higher value in bottom part. Moisture content reading from the green wood cassava
stems samples indicate that the moisture in all parts are high. Maximum reading of
green wood and oven dried wood shows that highest reading can both be seen in
bottom location. Specific gravity has no significant effect between locations along the
stem height although middle displays the highest reading. Same goes with shrinkage
and swelling rate of cassava stems, it does not have a significant effect with each other
even though tangential has the highest rate in shrinkage and radial for swelling.
Cassava stem-based particleboard demonstrates that higher resin will increase the
strength according to MOR, MOE, and internal bond besides decreasing the board’s
water absorption rate and thickness swelling.