Characterization of Particleboard Produced from Residues of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Plantain pseudostem&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;, Cocoa Pod and Stem and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Ceiba&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;

Stephen J Mitchual,Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi,Prosper Mensah,Kwasi Frimpong-Mensah

doi:10.4236/msa.2020.1112054

Abstract

This study investigated the possible use of four agro-forest residues generated in Ghana as an alternative raw material for particleboard manufacture using cassava starch and urea formaldehyde as adhesives. The particle size of the materials ranged from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. An industrial pressing machine was used to press the homogeneous single layer particleboard. Physical and mechanical properties were determined in accordance with ASTM D 1037-06a and ASTM D 7519-11. The results indicate that the density of the particleboards produced ranged from 421 kg/m3 to 598 kg/m3. The water absorption property of the particleboards also ranged from 7.66% to 22.41% and 18.17% to 59.46% for 2-hour and 24-hour immersions respectively. Additionally, the thickness swelling of the particleboards ranged from 3.38% to 5.03% and 9.37% to 21.49% for 2-hour, and 24-hour immersions respectively. The results further indicate that the modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, internal bond strength and hardness of the particleboards produced for both cassava starch and urea formaldehyde were adequate. Comparatively, for all the agro-forest materials used for this study, the physical and mechanical properties of the particleboards produced using urea formaldehyde as adhesive was better than those produced using cassava starch as adhesive. It could be concluded that the particleboards produced could be used for indoor applications or interior furnishings, under dry conditions. Additionally, it is recommended that further studies that combine cassava starch and urea formaldehyde as adhesives be conducted, as well as studies on combining plantain pseudostem and cocoa pod in particleboard production.

Highlights

Particleboard, an engineered wood product, dates back to the early 20th Century
The results further indicate that the modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, internal bond strength and hardness of the particleboards produced for both cassava starch and urea formaldehyde were adequate
This study investigated the physical and mechanical properties of particleboards produced from cocoa stem and pod, plantain pseudostem and ceiba

Summary

Introduction

Particleboard, an engineered wood product, dates back to the early 20th Century. It was developed during World War II to utilise inferior wood and wood waste when good quality wood was in short supply [1]. Many factors including wood shortage as a result of the depletion of forest areas, environmental awareness and generation of large quantities of agro-forest residues which have disposal challenges have increased the need for the substitution of wood as a major raw material for the production of furniture and other wood products with particleboard. As a result of this, about 28.4 million m3 of particleboards are produced in Europe each year mainly for furniture and building applications [2]

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