Effect of cogon grass powder (Imperata cylindrica L. Beauv) composition and particle size on physical and mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester resin particle board products

Abstract

In this research, cogon grass powder and methyl ethyl ketone was used as fillers and catalyst, respectively to improve the mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester resin particle board prepared by compression molding. Cogon grass powder was added with different amount of composition (10, 20, 30 and 40 wt%) and variation of particle size (90/110, 110/130, 130/150 and 150/170 mesh). The addition of cogon grass powder as fillers increased the physical and mechanical properties of particle board as amount of the fillers increased except for the addition of cogon grass up to 40 wt%. The density of the particle board decreased as fillers composition increased, while thickness swelling of the particle board increased as fillers compositions increased. The result of mechanical properties showed that the particle board had modulus of rupture (MOR) 60.039 MPa and modulus of elasticity (MOE) 207.306 MPa. The results of physical and mechanical properties approached that of values in standard JIS A 5908-2003 except for modulus of elasticity.