Characteristics of Particleboards Made from Agricultural Wastes

Abstract

The growth of particleboard production is parallel with the growth of world population. Yet, supply on wood chips as raw material for particleboard facing the shortage. Indonesia as a tropical country has various source of renewable resources, including agricultural residuals and non-wood forest product. This research was conducted to investigate the properties of particleboard made from core and rattan bark, from corn stalk and wood waste. Particles with moisture content less than 5% were mixed with adhesive. Phenol formaldehyde (PF) 10% was used as the adhesive. Mixed particles were then hot pressed for 10 minutes at 150°C with 25 Kgf/cm2. Targeted density of the board was 0.7 g/cm3. Prior to testing, boards were conditioned for seven days at room temperature. Testing was conducted for physical and mechanical properties as well as the surface roughness. Standard for physical and mechanical properties reffered to the JIS A 5908-2003. Results show that the particleboard from corn stalk had the lowest thickness swelling which was 16.7%. The highest modulus of rupture was given by particleboard from wood waste which was 21.69 MPa.