Optimisation of particle distribution and performance in three-layer tubular particleboards using response surface methodology

Abstract

To explore the impact of manufacturing parameters on the modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond strength (IB), and 24-h water absorption thickness swelling (24 h TS) of tubular particleboards, the geometry of the particles and the combination and distribution of the particles were investigated and integrated with response surface modeling (RSM). The results show that coarse particles with high aspect ratios form the network skeleton structure of tubular particleboards and provide the basic mechanical strength of the panels. The addition of an appropriate amount of fine particles can reduce the internal voids of the board and improve its mechanical strength. In addition, the surface fine particles flowed from the gaps of the coarse particles to the interior of the boards, making the boards more compact, which was conducive to improving the modulus of rupture and internal bond strength of the tubular particleboards. It was also found that the tube spacing limited the distribution of particles of different sizes, and regulating the tube spacing could lead to boards with good performance. According to the response surface data, the derived mathematical model of the second-order response function has an R2 of 0.954 for MOR, 0.956 for IB, and 0.923 for 24 h TS. The results predicted by the RSM are close to the experimental results when the fine particle content (FoC) in the core layer is 39.35 %, the surface particle content (Sf) is 37.45 %, the tube spacing (TD) is 18.81 mm, the MOR of the tubular particle board is 17.47 MPa, the IB is 0.70 MPa, and the 24 h Ts is 7.30 %. The optimized tubular particleboard has a thermal conductivity of 38.89 mW m−1K−1, which provides efficient thermal insulation. The RSM is important in the development and structural optimization field.