Abstract
A big challenge in the composites industry is the availability of cheap raw lignocellulosic materials, potential candidates to replace slow growing trees, in order to minimize the production cost. Therefore, a variety of plants were studied and tested worldwide in composites manufacturing. The objective of this study was to investigate the technical feasibility of manufacturing particleboards from seaweed leaves (Possidonia oceanica—PO). The use of such a material may benefit both socioeconomic and environmental development since these leaves settle on seashores and decay. The results showed that an incorporation of up to 10% PO leaves did not significantly affect the mechanical properties of the board. Internal bond strength was more severely affected than the other mechanical properties. The incorporation of PO leaves up to 25% did not significantly improve the dimensional stability of the boards. Markedly, boards made from 50% wood particles and 50% PO leaves showed the best thickness swelling values. It is suggested that higher resin dosage and an alternative resin system, such as isocyanates, may improve the panel properties.
Highlights
Seaweeds or marine macroalgae are plant-like organisms which are in general live attached to rocks or other substrata in coastal territories
Possidonia oceanica (PO) leaves are relatively weak and vulnerable to critical defects inside the panel structure, and a rapid decrease in the Internal bond strength (IBS) of the panel is observed as the PO leaves content increases
It must be pointed out that in boards made with 50% PO leaves, visible checks and cracks occurred in the core section of the mat, as clearly highlighted in
Summary
Seaweeds or marine macroalgae are plant-like organisms which are in general live attached to rocks or other substrata in coastal territories. This aquatic flowering plant grows at the bottom of the sea and consists of about 60 species. Seaweed is widely used for industrial purposes such as in cosmetics, medicine, food and beverages, ink and paper [3,4]. Seaweeds are important habitats for various microorganisms living in the sea, they are considered to be a waste material, since many leaves break away after their growing season, settle on the sea shores and decay; their appearance becomes an eyesore. It is reported that a moderately wide belt of Possidonia oceanica seagrass may deliver more than 125 kg of dry material per square meter of the coastline annually [6,7]
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