Reinforced Particleboard from Kans Grass (Saccharum spontaneaum) Sheathes and Rice (Oryza sativa) Hulls Using Modified Starch-Based Adhesive

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In the development of wood materials based on renewable resources, the search of substitutes is one of the biggest challenges that academia and wood industries are facing. Particleboard has low strength as compared to other fiberboard and low density so it can be easily damaged while in transit. Due to moisture, boards warp an expand for has low strength and gets damaged. Particleboard has low durability and less life as compared to medium density fiberboard and plywood. It cannot support heavy loads. These boards are weak substitutes but are cheaper compared to the conventional ones; thus, the study sought to utilize reinforcements are done.

METHODS

Sawdust was collected and strained to produce a fine dust. Kans grass sheath was trimmed, washed and air-dried for 24 hours. 300 grams of distilled water were boiled to a temperature of 70±2°C and 250 grams of citric acid crystal was submerged in the process along with 60 grams of cornstarch. The board binding process was accomplished through mixing the reinforcements, sawdust, and adhesive in a container. Boards were produced in an electrically heated compress. It was examined using the ASTM D 1037, performed in the laboratory of Forest Products Research and Development Institute.

RESULTS

A total of three boards of different ratios of reinforcements were produced and tested. A total of nine samples tested for thickness swelling, water absorption, pull out load, moisture content, and tensile strength. According to the samples that were tested for moisture content, the average moisture content (%) per sample was 13.3, 9.6, and 12.4. The average tensile strength (kg) of each sample was 2.43, 2.04, and 4.6. The average pull-out load (kg) for each sample were 10.4, 8.7, and 23.4. The submersion of the board in water resulted in swell (inch) for each sample were 1.9, 1.9, and 1.7. Average water absorption was also tested and resulted per sample with 10.7, 10.9 and 8.1.

DISCUSSIONS

There is a significant difference in the water absorption capability, pull out load, moisture content and tensile strength of particleboard of different ratios of reinforced materials which are backed up by the values computed by the statistical tools. It is concluded that the particleboard can be enhanced through the means of reinforcement and such. Utilizing starch, a biodegradable adhesive reduced the cost in the board-production. to further advance the scope of the study, make the dimensions of the board thicker and perform more tests like flammability and abrasion.