Hybrid Particleboard from Wood and Non-Wood Species: Physical and Mechanical Properties as a Function of Particle Mixing Ratio

Abstract

Aims: In this paper three - layer hybrid particleboard was fabricated from kadam ( Anthocephalus chinensis ) and kenaf ( Hibiscus cannabinus L. ) as a function of particle mixing ratio based on oven dried weight. Experimental: Three types of three - layer hybrid particleboards i.e., HB PB - A (Fine: kenaf; coarse: kadam), HB PB - B (Fine: kadam; coarse: kenaf), HB PB - C (kadam and kenaf mixed); and two types of control particleboard i.e., C PB - D (kadam) and C PB - E (kenaf) were fabricated with 10% urea formaldehyde resin. The effects of particle ratio on the physical and mechanical properties of new hybrid particleboards were investigated according to the procedure of ASTM D - 1037 standard. Resu lts: It was found that the particle ratio within and/or between layers showed significant effects on the physical and mechanical properties of the hybrid particleboards. It was also observed that