Developing 3-layer tea oil camellia (Camellia oleifera Abel.) shells-based particleboard with systematic study on particle geometry and distribution

Abstract

Tea oil camellia (Camellia oleifera Abel.) shell (TOCS) can annually provide about 1.8-million-ton lignocellulose resources for particleboard manufacturing in China, instead of discharging or burning that cause various forms of environmental pollution. In this study, different TOCS particle sizes were used in the core and surface layers of the 3-layer particleboard to systematically investigate the effects of particle geometry on physical and mechanical properties, besides the macro and micro-structure. The results indicated geometry of TOCS particles in either core or surface layers plays a vital role in the properties of panels. Accordingly, using 100% TOCS particles in the mat-mixture with an overall 5% Polymethylene diphenyl diisocyanate adhesive exhibited a modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity of 4.07 MPa and 664 MPa, respectively. The lower internal bonding was recorded for the smallest particle size in the core layer. It was also observed that 40% of TOCS particles in surfaces and wood particles in the core resulted in close mechanical properties and surface quality to the control panel. Although, an increase in surface layers particle size caused large inter-particle voids.