Abstract
Systematic laboratory-scale experiments were carried out to study the technical feasibility of producing monolayer particleboards using midribs of Saudi Arabian date palm tree branches (Phoenix dactylifera-L) as raw material. Chips produced from midrib and impregnated with a predetermined proportion of urea formaldyhde binder were hot-pressed under constant pressure (3.25 N/mm2), temperature (180°C) and press cycle times of 5, 7, and 9 min. Experimental particleboard specimens subjected to mechanical tests exhibited satisfactory tensile strength levels. Strength was enhanced phenomenally by improving the particle quality and optimizing experimental variables. Electron microscopy and EDX data on the internal structure of the midribs are also reported.
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