Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate some mechanical and physical properties of one-layer particleboards made from various willow (Salix viminalis) and industrial pine wood particle mixtures bonded with urea formaldehyde resin. Modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture decreased, whereas internal bond and screw holding strengths increased with increasing willow particle content. The decrease in bending properties was rather small; these properties of particleboards containing 50 % willow particles were on average smaller by about 10 % than particleboards containing only industrial wood particles. Increasing the willow particle content resulted in improved water absorption and thickness swelling. The willow Salix viminalis can be considered as a substitute for pine wood for manufacturing of particleboards.
Highlights
Particleboards are the most widely used wood composite
The willow Salix viminalis can be considered as a substitute for pine wood for manufacturing of particleboards
One-layer experimental particleboards were manufactured using particles made from the willow Salix viminalis as a substitute for industrial particles made from pine wood
Summary
Particleboards are the most widely used wood composite. Continually increasing particleboard production in many countries, including Poland, and shortage of forest resources make it necessary to search for alternative lignocellulosic materials in particleboard manufacturing. One possible raw material can be fast growing shrubs. Such a shrub being cultivated for energy purposes is the willow Salix viminalis. Sean and Labrecque (2006) investigated the usefulness of Quebec clones of the willow Salix viminalis. The suitability of the willow Salix viminalis for particleboard manufacturing has been the subject of only a few studies. They studied three-layer particleboards with face and core layers made using 10–30 % willow, and concluded that the mechanical properties of particleboards with up to 30 % willow particles were generally greater than those of particleboards made from industrial wood particles. They studied three-layer particleboards with face and core layers made using 10–30 % willow, and concluded that the mechanical properties of particleboards with up to 30 % willow particles were generally greater than those of particleboards made from industrial wood particles. Frackowiak et al (2008) stated that the replacement of 25 % of pine particles by willow ones in the core layer of three-
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