Evaluation of properties of starch-based adhesives and particleboard manufactured from them

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate some of the mechanical and physical properties of experimental particleboard panels manufactured from rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) bonded using oil palm starch, wheat starch, and urea formaldehyde (UF) at a density of 0.60 g/cm³. Bending characteristics, internal bond strength, thickness swelling, and water absorptions of the samples were determined based on Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS). Overall mechanical properties for natural binder oil palm starch resulted in higher values than those made from wheat starch. The highest internal-bonding strength (IB) value of 0.41 N/mm² was determined for the samples made from oil palm starch. Dimensional stability in the form of thickness swelling of the samples made from oil palm starch had higher values, ranging from 4.24 to 22.84% than those manufactured from wheat starch. Natural adhesive showed comparable strength with panels manufactured with UF. Overall results meet the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) requirements except for water absorption and thickness swelling of the samples.

Keywords:

• oil palm
• rubberwood
• particleboard
• starch
• mechanical properties

Additional information

Funding

The authors want to acknowledge Universiti Sains Malaysia for the research grant [grant number 1001/PTEKIND/815,066], PRGS Grant [grant number 1001/PTEKIND/844,104], and for Fellowship grant awarded to Kushairi Mohd Salleh. Thanks also to Heveaboard Sdn Bhd for providing raw materials to be used in this study.