Some Mechanical Properties of Particleboards Produced from Four Agro-Forest Residues Using Cassava Starch and Urea Formaldehyde as Adhesives

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Date
2021
Authors
Mensah, Prosper
Owusu, Francis Wilson
Mitchual, Stephen Jobson
Kusi, Elijah
Frimpong-Mensah, Kwasi
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Publisher
DAVID PUBLISHING
Abstract
The increase in demand of particleboards for furniture and other applications has prompted a large-scale research into the suitability of various types of lignocellulosic materials for its manufacture. For the appropriate use of particleboards produced from such materials their properties need to be established. This study investigated the possible use of four agro-forest residues generated in Ghana as an alternative raw material for particleboard manufacture using cassava starch and urea formaldehyde as adhesives. The particle size of the materials ranged from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. An industrial pressing machine was used to press 20 mm × 300 mm × 300 mm homogeneous single layer particleboard at 170 °C for 480 s using compacting pressure of 3.5 MPa at a targeted density of 600 kg/m3 with adhesive content of 12%. Mechanical properties were determined in accordance with ASTM D 1037-06a and ASTM D 7519-11. The results indicate that the density of the particleboards produced ranged from 421 kg/m3 to 598 kg/m3 . The results further indicate that the modulus of elasticity, modulus of rapture, internal bond strength and hardness of the particleboards produced for both cassava starch and urea formaldehyde were adequate. Comparatively, for all the agro-forest materials used for this study, the mechanical properties of the particleboards produced using urea formaldehyde as adhesive were better than those produced using cassava starch as adhesive. It could be concluded that the particleboards produced could be used for indoor applications or interior furnishings, fitments and other furniture under dry conditions. Additionally, it is recommended that studies on the physical properties of these manufactured particlebards be conducted.
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Citation
Mensah, P., Owusu, F. W., Mitchua, S. J., Kusi, E., & Frimpong-Mensah, K. (2021). Some Mechanical Properties of Particleboards Produced from Four Agro-Forest Residues Using Cassava Starch and Urea Formaldehyde as Adhesives. J. Mater. Sci. Eng. B, 11, 43-58.