Abstract:
In Ghana, large quantities of wood and agricultural waste are left unutilized with its
attendant negative environmental issues. Producing particle board from such waste would
contribute to minimizing deforestation and positively impact the environment. This study
therefore compared the properties of particleboard produced from Ceiba pentandra (CP)
sawdust and corn cob (CC) particles using cassava starch or urea formaldehyde as
separate binder. The study used a completely randomised experimental design. Three
layer medium density particleboard was produced with CP and CC mix proportions of
90:10, 70:30 and 50:50 percent (by weight) respectively. 4500g of particles, 600g of
binder and 225g of water were mixed and blended together manually. The mixtures were
pressed at 160oC and 32kg/cm2 for 30minutes. Particleboard produced was tested using
ASTM D. 1037-72 (1975) and EN 252 (1990) standards. Results showed that the density
of the particleboard produced range from 0.6290g/cm3 – 0.8223g/cm3 at 11.4% - 17%
moisture content. The mean thickness swelling range from 6.66% - 10.00% whiles water
absorption range from 40.13% - 53.74%. However, the highest modulus of elasticity
(MOE) of 2182.3N/mm2 and modulus of rapture (MOR) of 12.58N/mm2 were obtained
from particleboard made from 90% CP and 10% CC with cassava starch binder. The
results further indicated that mix ratio, binder as well as their interaction significantly
influenced density, thickness swelling, water absorption, moisture content and MOR.
Particleboard made from 90% CP and 10% CC with cassava starch binder gave the best
properties and thus recommended for the production of medium density particleboard.
Description:
A dissertation in the Department of CONSTRUCTION AND WOOD
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, Faculty of TECHNICAL EDUCATION, submitted
to the School of Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Master of Philosophy
(Wood Science and Technology) degree
