Mechanical properties of particleboards produced from wasted mixed sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) Nielsen) and bagasse particles

Abstract

This study investigated the possibility of using the mixing bagasse and sengon wood (Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) Nielsen) wastes combined with urea formaldehyde (UF) and polyester (PE) as binders for particleboards application. The tested composite materials included the baggase-sengon powder mixed with two kinds of polymers separately, UF and polyester. One-UF composite were examined the volume fraction by comparison of sugarcane baggase (SCB), sengon wood (SW), and UF with 8:0:2, 6:2:2, 4:4:2, 2:6:2, and 0:8:2, respectively. While another one, polyester composites were manufactured by ratio of volume fraction of SCB, SW, and PE with 6:0:4; 4:2:4; 3:3:4; 2:4:4; 0:6:4, respectively. Those lignocellulosic materials were treated with 5% alkalization (NaOH) for 2 h then mixed with a specified binder before conduction hot press compression molding at 100 °C and 40 bar was carried out. The boards were tested for their modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), internal bond, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) after being subjected to the bending test. The results showed that in specific tests, all lignocellulosic mixed powders may serve as partial substitutes for wood-based composites in the particleboards. The presence of these materials was particularly favourable for the internal bond. SCB was the useful part of mixing powder, as the boards supplemented with the material met the requirements of the Indonesian Standard SNI 03–2105-2006 in terms of the internal bond and therefore it can be potentially used for non-structural boards such as furniture.