Hybrid Particleboard from Wood and Non-Wood Species: Physical and Mechanical Properties as a Function of Particle Mixing Ratio

Aims: In this paper three-layer hybrid particleboard was fabricated from kadam (Anthocephalus chinensis) and kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) as a function of particle mixing ratio based on oven dried weight.

Experimental: Three types of three-layer hybrid particleboards i.e., HBPB-A (Fine: kenaf; coarse: kadam), HBPB-B (Fine: kadam; coarse: kenaf), HBPB-C (kadam and kenaf mixed); and two types of control particleboard i.e., CPB-D (kadam) and CPB-E (kenaf) were fabricated with 10% urea formaldehyde resin. The effects of particle ratio on the physical and mechanical properties of new hybrid particleboards were investigated according to the procedure of ASTM D-1037 standard.

Results: It was found that the particle ratio within and/or between layers showed significant effects on the physical and mechanical properties of the hybrid particleboards. It was also observed that hybrid particleboard HBPB-C with the ratio of kadam: Kenaf(50:50) exhibited the highest mechanical properties i.e. modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture and physical properties i.e. density, moisture content, water absorption and thickness swelling, compared to HBPB-A (kenaf: kadam-40:60) and HBPB-B (kadam: kenaf-40:60) hybrid particleboards. HBPB-C also showed higher physical and mechanical properties compared to the CPB-E, however, it was lower than the CPB-D.

Conclusion: The results confirmed that HBPB-C and HBPB-B particleboard met the minimum ANSI A208.1 requirements for physical and mechanical properties of M-3 grade particleboard. Thus, such kind of hybrid particleboard is technically feasible.