The Effect of Size and Composition Variation of Cacao (Theobroma Cacao) Peels Powder with Bagasse Fillers to Physical And Mechanical Properties of Particle Board

Abstract

Abstract: A research has been conducted about the effect of size and composition variation of cacao peels powder with bagasse fillers to physical and mechanical properties of particle board. The physical and mechanical properties tested are density, water absorption, compressive and flexural strength. Variations of cacao (Theobroma cacao) peels powder size used is 8, 10, 20 and 30 Mesh, while the variation of cacao peels powder and the bagasse composition used is (100: 0)%, (80: 20)% and (60:40)%. Testing of mechanical properties used a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The calculation result of physical properties of particle board got standard JIS A 5908-2003, but the mechanical properties did not get the standard of JIS A 5908-2003. Optimum value of density resulted at size 10 Mesh with the composition (100:0)%, (80:20)% for water absorption, and optimum value of the mechanical properties of the cacao peels powder resulted at size 20 Mesh with the composition of the material (60:40)%. Keywords: Particle board, cacao peels powder, physical properties, mechanical properties