Physical, mechanical and durability properties of particleboard produced from ceiba pentandra sawdust and corn cob particles using cassava starch or urea formaldehyde adhesive as separate binder

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.