Alternative materials for strandboards made with waste veneer from industrial plywood in Indonesia

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of strandboard made from the residual veneer material of rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg.) and falcata wood (Falcataria moluccana). The study investigated five different ratios of rubber and falcata (100:0; 75:25; 50:50; 25:75; 0:100). Random strandboards were made at a target density of 600 kg m-3 using phenol formaldehyde (PF) as resin. All panels were tested through static bending (MOE/MOR). The internal bonding, thickness swelling, and water absorption of the strandboards were also examined. Results showed that the incorporation of the rubber and falcata ratio of 25:75 was substantially greater than the other ratios. The samples using other ratios for MOR, MOE, and physical properties obtained slightly lower mean values compared to the sample with the ratio of 25:75 (rubber and falcata). Based on these results, strandboards obtained from rubber and falcata have the potential to be commercialized.