Composite Panels from Underutilized Wood and Agricultural Fiber Resources

Abstract

Rice straw, jute, coconut fiber, oil palm, bagasse and bamboo are some of agricultural resources that can be used to produce different types of value-added composite panels including particleboard and medium density fiberboard (MDF). Invasive species such as Eastern redcedar in South Western states in the USA would also be considered as viable raw material to manufacture above products. The main objective of this study was to review basic properties of both structural and non-structural panels manufactured from underutilized and agricultural species. Eastern redcedar, bamboo and rice straw were used to manufacture experimental panels. Properties of such samples including bending, internal bond strength, thickness swelling, and surface roughness were evaluated. Panels made 100% bamboo had the best properties among the other samples. Having rice straw in particleboard and medium density fiberboard panels reduced overall properties of the samples. Based on the findings of this work such species could have potential to be used as raw material to manufacture value-added panels with accepted properties.