Chemical changes in steam-pressed kenaf core binderless particleboard

Abstract

The effects of chemical changes in kenaf core binderless particleboards on the bonding performance and thickness swelling of boards were investigated by chemical and spectroscopic analyses. Mild steam-injection treatments (0.6-1.0 MPa) caused significant degradation of hemicelluloses, lignin, and cellulose. Conventional hot pressing caused a lower degree of degradation of the chemical components. The hot-pressed kenaf core board without any binders showed poor bonding performance. Thus, it was found that partial degradation of the three major chemical components of the kenaf core by mild steam-injection treatment increased the bonding performance and dimensional stability of the binderless boards, and gave better quality binderless boards than those made by hot-pressing treatments. © The Japan Wood Research Society 2005.