Rubberwood Particles Research Articles

Feasibility and properties of flat-pressed three-layer bamboo-rubberwood particleboards for resource-efficient production

This study aimed to develop new composites and evaluate the physico-mechanical properties and formaldehyde content of flat-pressed three-layer particleboard (FPTP) made of bamboo (as a face material) and rubberwood (as a core material) residue bonded with urea-formaldehyde adhesive. Different ratios of core and face material were adopted to investigate the effects of these ratios on the properties of the particleboards. The results indicate that increasing the proportion of rubberwood particles enhanced mechanical properties. All particleboards complied with the maximum permissible thickness swelling percentage (12%) specified in IS 3087 (2005) for Grade 2 category boards. While the moduli of rupture and elasticity values increased with higher rubberwood content, the particleboards did not satisfy the IS 3087 (2005) standard overall. However, the internal bonding strength of T4 (0.5 N/mm2) met the minimum requirement. Nail and screw withdrawal resistance of the particleboards indicated significantly higher resistance with increased rubberwood proportion. Only T4 particleboards met the minimum requirement stipulated by IS 3087 (2005) regarding screw withdrawal resistance for both Grade 1 and Grade 2 category boards. All boards met the criteria for the E2 classification (formaldehyde content ≤ 30 mg/100 g for oven-dried boards).

Particleboards based on agricultural and agroforestry wastes glued with vegetal polyurethane adhesive: An efficient and eco-friendly alternative

This research aimed to evaluate particleboards produced with bean straw and rubberwood particles glued with vegetable polyurethane adhesive as a proposal for a sustainable insulating material. Therefore, the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the panels were determined, as well as their resistance to termite attack, combustibility, and thermal insulation. By increasing the bean straw particle content, the water absorption was significantly reduced (from 11.44 % to 7.68 %), with the same tendency observed for thickness swelling (from 4.61 % to 1.73 %) after 24 h of immersion. Panels produced with 25 and 75 % bean straw contents showed an end to thermal degradation before rubberwood-only compounds, being more resistant to combustion. There was a reduction in the modulus of elasticity (66.4 %) and modulus of rupture (52.5 %) due to the increase in the bean straw particle content. The evaluation of the resistance of the particleboard to dry wood termites showed a lower mass loss for composite panels with higher contents of bean straw. The thermal conductivity of particleboards showed that greater amounts of waste resulted in greater thermal insulation. In terms of generating sustainable products and meeting the needed properties, it was concluded that it is feasible to produce particleboards with agricultural wastes and formaldehyde-free adhesive.

Analysis of stable phase change material made using rubberwood biochar for thermal energy storage

This work analyses the stability of phase change materials (PCM) after being mixed with rubber wood biochar for thermal energy storage. Stable phase change materials are getting much attention from around the globe as they provide better functionality specifically to regulate temperature changes during day and night in building construction elements. The objective of this work is to compare the possibility of using raw rubberwood particles and rubberwood biochar as shape-stabilising materials for the palmitic acid as the phase change material. The rubberwood particles were pyrolysed, impregnated with palmitic acid and dried. Raw rubberwood particles were also impregnated with palmitic acid as a comparison. Unsaturated polyester was mixed with the impregnated particles before making the composite. The thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry analysis (DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared analysis (FT-IR) evaluation was carried out on the samples. It was observed from DSC analysis that between 30 °C and 200 °C, the samples shows heat absorptive characteristic, which is an essential feature of a material for latent heat storage. Therefore, this material can potentially be used as thermal energy storage for green buildings.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PARTICLEBOARDS WITH HEVEA BRASILIENSIS WASTE FROM DIFFERENT PRODUCTION AND MOISTURE CONFIGURATIONS

After the production cycle of latex, Hevea brasiliensistrees becomeresidual living plants for this activity, although their woody trunks are still potentially subject to industrial utilization. Bio-composites derived from rubberwood particles were manufactured using two different configurations as a strategy to examine the potential of this species with respect to mechanical behavior. Homogeneous panels were developed from particles at the saturation condition, and heterogeneous panels were obtained from dry particles conditioned at 12% moisture content. Both examples were heat-pressed and glued with castor oil-based polyurethane resin. Density, short-term water absorption and thickness swelling, modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity in the static bending and perpendicular tensile were evaluated. Panels derived fromrubberwood particles proved to be viable according to the technical standards.

Characterization of particleboard made from oil heat-treated rubberwood particles at different mixing ratios

Particleboard was produced by mixing oil heat-treated rubberwood particles at different ratios, with the goal of achieving high dimensional stability. Rubberwood particles were soaked in palm oil for 2 h and heat treated at 200 °C for 2 h. The treated particles were soaked in boiling water for 30 min to remove oil and were tested for chemical alteration and thermal characterization via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Particleboard was fabricated by mixing treated rubberwood particles (30%, 50%, and 70%) with untreated particles (70%, 50%, and 30%, respective to previous percentages) and bonded with urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin. The results revealed that oil-heat treated particles had greater thermal stability than the untreated particles. The addition of oil heat treated particles improved the physical properties of the particleboard with no significant reduction in mechanical strength. However, this was only valid for ratios of 70% untreated to 30% treated and 50% untreated to 50% treated. When a ratio of 70% oil heat treated particles was used, both the physical and mechanical properties were reduced drastically, due to bonding interference caused by excessive oil content. Particleboard made with a ratio of 5:5 (treated to untreated) exhibited the best physical and mechanical properties.

A preliminary study on physical and mechanical properties of particleboard made from palm oil-treated rubberwood particles

Treatment with vegetable oils is well known in imparting better dimensional stability to wood and wood-based composites. Oven-dried rubberwood particles were immersed in palm oil for 2 h and soaked in boiling water for 30 min. The re-dried particles were used to fabricate particleboard using 12% urea formaldehyde resin as binding agent. The particleboard was hot-pressed at 180 °C for 4.5 min. Physical properties such as thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) were determined. Meanwhile, mechanical properties including bending and internal bonding strength (IB) were evaluated. The results revealed that, in comparison with untreated particleboard, the treated particleboard exhibited better TS and WA. However, lower bending and IB strength were recorded as the increased hydrophobicity of the oil-soaked particles influenced the binding performance of the particleboard adversely. Further study is needed in reducing the amount of oils retained in the particles to ensure better binding performance.

Reducing formaldehyde emission of urea formaldehyde-bonded particleboard by addition of amines as formaldehyde scavenger

Particleboard is one of the building materials that contribute to the emittance of formaldehyde in enclosed area. In order to reduce the formaldehyde emission from particleboard, amines were added into the urea formaldehyde (UF) resin as formaldehyde scavenger. The amines used were methylamine, ethylamine and propylamine. 0.5, 0.7 and 1% of each type of amine were added into UF resin and the mixtures were used to produce particleboard from rubberwood particles. The properties of the UF resin after addition of amines such as gelation time, viscosity, pH, free formaldehyde content and thermal stability were evaluated. The physical, mechanical properties and formaldehyde emission of the produced boards were also assessed. The results revealed that fully cured amine-containing UF resin possesses higher thermal stability compared to control UF resin. Amine-containing UF resin also had longer gelation time due to higher pH value. Nevertheless, both physical and mechanical properties of the resultant particleboard were negatively affected. Particleboard made from amine-containing UF resin had higher thickness swelling and water absorption. In addition, lower bending strength and internal bonding strength were also recorded. Insufficient pressing time for fully cured of resin might be the reason for such phenomenon. Particleboard with F*** emission level (0.5 ≤ x ≤ 1.5 mg/L) as specified in Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) or European's E0 class equivalent were achieved when ethylamine and propylamine were added, regardless of dosage used. This study showed the feasibility of using amines as formaldehyde scavenger. However, optimisation of processing parameters is needed to enhance the physico-mechanical properties of the particleboard.

Partial replacement of urea-formaldehyde with modified oil palm starch based adhesive to fabricate particleboard

This study investigated the efficacy of epichlorohydrin-modified oil palm starch as an adhesive in addition to urea formaldehyde, to minimise the use of urea formaldehyde adhesive in particleboard manufacturing. A single-layer particleboard was fabricated from rubberwood particles and urea formaldehyde resin supplemented with modified oil palm starch adhesive. The adhesive performance was analysed by studying the physical properties (actual density, moisture content, thickness swelling and water absorption) and mechanical properties (bending strength and internal bond strength) of the prepared panels. The panels of two target densities were manufactured (600 and 800 kg/m3) at two different pressing times (15 min and 20 min). The performance of manufactured panels were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The panels manufactured in this study met the minimum required strength as stated in Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) but a lower water resistant property. Furthermore, a panel with a density of 800 kg/m3 had improved mechanical properties in comparison to a panel exhibiting a density of 600 kg/m3 when manufactured with a 15 min pressing time.

Effect of Polyethylene on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Particleboard

SummaryParticleboard is a common material used in furniture manufacturing. In the present study, it is made from natural rubber wood in the form of coarse and fine particles which is glued with urea formaldehyde adhesive. Because of the cellulosic structure containing many hydroxyl groups, the particleboard becomes a hygroscopic product. The objective of the present study was to increase the water resistance of the particleboard by adding polyethylene (PE). Four grades of PE were selected and mixed with the rubber wood particles before forming as a three‐layer particleboard. Water absorption and thickness swelling were determined. The mechanical properties of the particleboard were evaluated including modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), internal bond strength (IB) and screw holding force. It is found that the addition of 5 wt% PE decreased the thickness swelling at 2 h, e.g. from 19.27% to 13.18–17.16%, and at 24 h, e.g. from 23.81% to 16.88–21.04%. The presence of 5 wt% PE also decreased the water absorption at 2 h, e.g. from 56.17% to 42.01–52.98%, and at 24 h, e.g. from 70.89% to 58.63–66.76%. LDPE D209 and LDPE 2420T showed high potential in this application because they enhanced the water resistance and slightly increased the internal bond strength of the particleboard. MOR and MOE of particleboard could be ranked in the following order: D209 > control > 2420T.

Physico-mechanical properties of particleboard made from heat-treated rubberwood particles

Physico-mechanical properties of particleboard fabricated from heat-treated rubberwood particles were investigated. Reduction in water absorption and mass loss were observed in heat-treated rubberwood particles, and it was associated with the properties of particleboard. The density and moisture content of the particleboard decreased with increasing treatment temperature and time. Heat treatment of particles improved the dimensional stability of the particleboard, but the mechanical properties were adversely affected.

Hybrid Particleboard Made from Bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) Veneer Waste and Rubberwood (Hevea brasilienses)

This study investigated adhesion properties, such as buffering capacity and wettability, of bamboo and rubberwood and evaluated the physical and mechanical properties of hybrid particleboard made from bamboo (B) veneer waste and rubberwood (RW) particles. The bamboo had an acidic pH value with a high buffering capacity compared with rubberwood. Hybrid bamboo-rubberwood particleboard displayed better mechanical properties compared to 100% bamboo and rubberwood particleboard. All hybrid particleboard panels passed and fulfilled the minimum standard requirements, except for thickness swelling and water absorption tests. However, for thickness swelling test, only boards consisting of 50B:50RW and 30B:70RW passed and fulfilled the minimum TS requirements of the British Standard EN 317 (1993). Panels made from 100% bamboo veneer waste displayed the highest modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) values, 15.30 N/mm2 and 2650.14 N/mm2, respectively. Hybrid particleboard panels exhibited better screw withdrawal compared with panels made of only bamboo or rubberwood particles. It is concluded that bamboo veneer waste enhances the quality of particleboards, especially in terms of mechanical strength. Thus, bamboo veneer waste can decrease the dependence of the particleboard industry on rubberwood.

Measurement of mechanical and physical properties of particleboard by hybridization of kenaf with rubberwood particles

Kenaf is one of the potential raw materials available in Malaysia to use for particleboard manufacturing as an alternative solution to balance shortage of rubberwood (RW) supply. In this study, particleboard manufactured from kenaf stem (KS) and RW particle blends at different RW loading (0%, 50%, 70%, 100%) and resin levels (6%, 8%, 10%). Urea formaldehyde resin is used as a binder. The effects of RW:KS ratio and resin content on mechanical and dimensional stability properties of hybrid particleboard were determined. The results indicated that particleboards bonded with 10% resin level and 50:50 (RW:KS) had the highest strength (19.08MPa) while particleboards made of 70:30 (RW:KS) display better stiffness (2.23GPa). Statistical analysis using ANOVA and LSD were conducted on the obtained results. The results show that RW:KS ratio has greater influence over thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) of particleboard than the level of resin content. The relationship between internal bonding (IB) and TS of particleboards were also examined and obtained strong inverse relationship between IB and TS. Hybrid particleboards made from 70% RW and 30% KS with 10% resin content display over all good properties and comparable with 100% RW (control) samples. It concluded that kenaf stem can replace rubberwood particles up to 50% but the resin level must be kept at 10% or more because lower resin level (⩽8%) significantly decrease strength of the particleboard.

Effect of Kenaf Parts on the Performance of Single-Layer and Three-Layer Particleboard Made from Kenaf and Rubberwood

This study investigated the effect of kenaf parts (kenaf whole stem, kenaf core, and kenaf bast) on the mechanical and physical properties of single-layer and three-layer particleboards made from kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) and rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis). The findings showed that the use of kenaf whole stem, which consists of both core and bast, had a positive effect on the modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), internal bond (IB), permeability, thickness swelling (TS), and water absorption (WA) values of single-layer and three-layer panels. Single-layer admixture panels made from a combination of 70% rubberwood and 30% kenaf had greater strength and stability than single-layer homogeneous panels. The presence of rubberwood particles on surface layers significantly improved the elastic properties of three-layer panels. Panels with kenaf whole stem in the middle layer had better performance than panels with kenaf core. The MOE values of 35RW-30KWS-35RW panels were 56% and 79%, which were higher than those comprising single layers of 100% KWS and 100% KC, respectively. This study suggests that kenaf whole stem is the preferred material to be used in particleboard manufacture incorporated with rubberwood as an admixture for three-layer panels.

Properties of Sandwich-Type Particleboard Panels Made from Rubberwood and Eastern Redcedar

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine some of the mechanical properties of sandwich-type particleboard manufactured from rubberwood (Hevea brasilenesis) and Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana). A total of 36 panels with two density levels of 0.65 and 0.75 g/cm3 were made using 10 percent urea-formaldehyde, a combination of 3 percent urea-formaldehyde and 10 percent cassava starch, and 10 percent cassava starch, respectively, as a binder. Three-layer panels with rubberwood fibers on the face layers and a mixture of 10 percent Eastern redcedar and 90 percent rubberwood particles in the core layer of the panels were manufactured. The highest modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and internal bond strength values of 2,990, 34.72, and 1.09 MPa, respectively, were found for those panels made with 10 percent urea-formaldehyde having a density of 0.75 g/cm3. Panels made with 10 percent starch did not have satisfactory mechanical properties and dimensional stability according to Japanese Industrial Standards. However, it seems that a mixture of a low percentage of urea-formaldehyde resin with cassava starch would be a viable alternative binder to manufacture particleboard with acceptable mechanical properties and enhanced surface quality.

Evaluation of the Properties of Particleboard Made Using Oil Palm Starch Modified with Epichlorohydrin

The objective of this study was to investigate the physical properties, including density, moisture content, thickness swelling, and water absorption, in addition to the mechanical properties such as modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and internal bond strength of experimental panels that were made from rubberwood particles using oil palm starch modified with epichlorohydrin as a binder. The samples were also examined using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The panel properties were compared with the properties of panels manufactured using native oil palm starch. The properties of starch and starch adhesives were also investigated. The panels were produced based on 0.60 g/cm3 and 0.80 g/cm3 target densities and two press times of 15 and 20 min. The results showed that the 0.80 g/cm3 panels manufactured using modified oil palm starch and with 15 min of press time had better properties than did the others. However, a lower thickness swelling value was found for panels with density 0.60 g/cm3 and with 15 min of press time. Based on the results in this study, it can be concluded that the use of oil palm starch modified with epichlorohydrin as a binder has the potential to be used as a green adhesive in commercial applications.

Optimization of processing variables and mechanical properties in rubber-wood particles reinforced cement based composites manufacturing technology

The manufacturing processes of rubber crumb–wood particle reinforced cement based composites (RWCC) which shortened the pressing cycle and enhanced the properties were completely investigated. Meanwhile, optimal processing conditions as well as properties of strength were tested to validate the predicted variables and properties. Mechanism effects of interacting process variables [density, duration of pressure time (namely, pressure time) and pressure] on properties of RWCC were opened out. The RWCC performance was evaluated by measuring its flexural strength (FS), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and internal bond (IB) strength. The experimental results were statistically analyzed by using Response Surface Method (RSM) software to identify the significant manufacturing process variables for RWCC. In the process variables, density and duration of pressing time had more significant influences on mechanical properties (FS and MOE and IB), but had little effect on strength performance caused by pressure. In addition, the microstructure of RWCC was clearly examined by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The mechanism effects were also revealed through analyzing the microstructure of the interface of rubber crumb/wood particle/cement. The results of a comprehensive evaluation for properties of RWCC with the highly active polymeric methylene diphenyl isocyanate adhesive (PMDI) as binder system not only present excellent mechanical properties, but also possess some of functional properties such as optimized acoustic properties and energy conservation. Finally, the optimal manufacturing process parameters were obtained by means of the maximizing mechanical properties.

Properties of three-layer particleboards made from kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) and rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis)

The aim for this study was to evaluate the mechanical and physical performances of three-layer experimental particleboards. Rubberwood particles were used in the face layers while kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) particles were used in the middle of the panels of the particleboards. Meanwhile, 100% kenaf stem and 100% kenaf core particles were used for production of single-layer control panels. The results showed that panels with kenaf stem in the middle layer had better performance than the panels with kenaf core in the middle layer. Three-layer particleboards of Type 1 showed significant average increment of modulus of elasticity that was 56% and 79% higher than those of the 100% kenaf stem and 100% kenaf core particleboards, respectively. Adding kenaf stem to the middle layer up to 30% of its composition gave the highest values of modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and internal bonding and the lowest values of thickness swelling and water absorption. All three-layer panels with kenaf stem in the middle layer met the requirements of the Japanese Industrial Standard JIS A 5908, especially for modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and internal bonding.