Some Properties of Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana L.) Particleboard Panels Made Using Modified Starch as Binder

Onur Ulker,Salim Hiziroglu

doi:10.5552/drvind.2020.1947

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate physical and mechanical properties of experimental panels manufactured from eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) using modified starch as binder. Modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond strength (IB), hardness and dimensional stability in the form of thickness swelling and water absorption in addition to surface quality of the samples were tested. Panels were manufactured at three density levels, which are 0.60 g/cm3, 0.70 g/cm3 and 0.80 g/cm3. The highest MOE, MOR and IB values for the samples having 0.80 g/cm3 density were determined as 2207.16 MPa, 15.17 MPa and 0.87 MPa, respectively. Thickness swelling values of the samples soaked in water for 2 h ranged from 15.38 % to 23.23 %. Micrographs taken on the samples using scanning electron microscope revealed that starch was uniformly distributed within the particles. Based on the findings in this study, it appears that eastern red cedar would have a potential as a raw material to manufacture particleboard panel using modifi ed starch as green adhesive with accepted physical and mechanical properties.

Highlights

The objective of this study was to evaluate physical and mechanical properties of experimental panels manufactured from eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) using modified starch as binder
Based on the findings in this study, it appears that eastern red cedar would have a potential as a raw material to manufacture particleboard panel using modified starch as green adhesive with accepted physical and mechanical properties
Panel type A with the density of 0.80 g/cm[3] resulted in the highest Modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and internal bond strength (IB) values of 2207.16 MPa, 15.17 MPa and 0.87 MPa, respectively. These values were followed by panel type B and C as a function of their density levels. It is a well-known fact that the overall density influences most the mechanical properties of particleboards (Kelly, 1977; Ulker and Burdurlu, 2016; Ayrilmis, 2007; Cai and Ross, 2010)

Summary

Introduction

Wood composite panels, such as particleboard, fiberboard, and oriented strand board, are widely used for both non-structural and structural applications. Particleboard is the oldest composite panel that still has a significant market share among the other types of panels. It is mainly used for furniture, cabinet and paneling manufacture in addition to substrate for thin overlays. Formaldehyde based adhesives, including urea formaldehyde (UF), are the most used binder in particleboard manufacture due to their low cost and excellent adhesion performance. Interior panels, namely particleboard and fiberboard with different density, are two prime products manufactured using UF, which have been on commercial market in the USA and in Europe and Asia for decades. UF is the most used adhesive in composite panel production, having formaldehyde in its chemical structure creates important environmental and health issues, since formaldehyde is a possible cancerogenic substance

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