Effects of Board Density and Thickness on Properties of Laminated Floor Panel from Kenaf <i>(Hibiscus cannabinus)</i> High Density Fibreboard (KHDF)

Abstract

This paper investigated the effect of density and thickness on flexural strength and dimensional stability of laminated floor panel. The focus of this research is to acknowledge the suitability of Kenaf fibres as raw material for floor panel. The evaluated floor panel samples consist of high density fibreboard as a core of floor panel and resin impregnated paper as lamination. The core was made up from Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) bast fibres that were used to fabricate dry-formed fibreboard at three different board densities (850, 960 and 1000 kg/mʒ) with the thickness of 8mm and 12mm for each board. Bending modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) were measured for each panel in accordance to BS EN standard. The overall result showed increasing density and thickness increased were MOE, MOR, TS and WA. Density and thickness were significantly affecting all the panels’ properties except for MOR, TS and WA.