Investigating the effect of particle slenderness ratio on optimizing the mechanical properties of particleboard using the response surface method

Abstract

Restricted formaldehyde gas emissions and a scarcity of lignocellulosic raw materials have particleboard companies in Iran concerned about raw materials and adhesive use. The particle slenderness ratio is one of the main parameters that leads to the required mechanical characteristics of particleboard, together with the simultaneous decrease of density (raw materials) and the quantity of adhesive. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of particleboard composed of poplar particles with variables of density, adhesive quantity, and slenderness ratio using response surface technique. The variables were then optimized for the examined responses according to the EN 312-3 (1993) standard for the manufacturing of particleboard for domestic use as well as home and office furniture. Particleboard with minimum allowable properties according to EN 312-3 (MOR = 11 MPa, MOE = 1.6 GPa, and IB = 0.35 MPa) with a density of 0.65 g/cm3, adhesive percentage of 10.54, and a slenderness ratio of 37.5 can be produced, according to optimization findings. Through raising the density to 0.69 g/cm3 and the slenderness ratio to 46.99, the quantity of adhesive utilized in particleboard manufacturing could be decreased from 10.54 to 8.9% while keeping the minimum allowable resistances of EN 312-3 (1993) standard.