Composite particle boards from Date-Palm Leaves- A viable substitute of wood/plywood products

Abstract

Particle board is a good substitute for costly wood/plywood boards. Particle board can be developed from Date-Palm Leaves (DPL), the annually renewable agro waste. DPL have higher ultimate fibre length (1.25-2.50 mm) and α-cellulose content (about 60%) is higher than hard wood/plywood and jute stick. Work of adhesion (contact angle) values between DPL and polymer binder (synthetic and natural) is very low. The impact strength of DPL board is much higher than wood/plywood and jute stick (JS) particle board. The moisture content (%), swelling (%) of DPL board in water is much lower (better) than wood/plywood and JS particle board. During development of DPL particle board, 1.5% water repellent chemical was used to made DPL board water proof. Based on these pertinent findings, DPL particle boards (size 2' x 2' x ½') were developed and used as false ceilings. The cost of DPL particle board is about 30% of the cost of wood/plywood boards.