Abstract
Sunflower stalks (Helianthus annuus) were studied as an alternative raw material for cement bonded particleboard. Experimental cement bonded particleboards measuring 500 mm × 500 mm × 12 mm with nominal density of 1300 kg/m3 were produced using different ratios of sunflower stalk particles with wood. Properties of the cement bonded particleboards evaluated include water absorption, thickness swelling, screw withdrawal strength and bending properties. Results of the study showed that the addition of small amount of sunflower stalks in the production of cement bonded particleboard does not significantly influence the properties tested. Inclusion of more stalks in the mixture significantly decreases mechanical properties and raises thickness swelling and water absorption values of the cement bonded particleboard. Results indicate that boards which include a small amount of sunflower stalks provide properties required by the standards for general purpose-use cement bonded particleboards.
Highlights
IntroductionThe increasing demand for wood based products, due to the growth of world population and deforestation, requires development of more ecologically friendly building materials based on natural renewable raw materials
The amount of sunflower stalk particles added to wood particles was 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % based on the wood particle weight
This study explored the feasibility of sunflower stalks in cement-bonded particleboard production, under laboratory conditions
Summary
The increasing demand for wood based products, due to the growth of world population and deforestation, requires development of more ecologically friendly building materials based on natural renewable raw materials. A wide variety of resources such as agricultural residues, plantation of fast growing and annual plants and recycling of wood products may be an alternative to wood. Lately attention has been increasingly focused on the research for the development of new biosourced materials. In the production of particleboard, medium density fiberboard, wood plastic composites, etc. Has been widely investigated (Klimek and Wimmer, 2017). Agricultural residues have some advantages such as availability, low density, etc., most of their properties are mostly inferior to other resources (Sun et al, 2013)
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