Application of liquefied adhesive made of oil-palm stem for particleboard binder

Abstract

In order to evaluate the quality of liquefied adhesive made of oil-palm stem, this research compared results of physical and mechanical testing of particleboard bonded by liquefied adhesive made of oil-palm stem (LA), urea-formaldehyde (UF) and isocyanate (IC), respectively. LA was produced in laboratory and for decreasing its viscosity; it was mixed with thinner prior to spraying. UF and IC were commercially type, represented interior and exterior application, respectively. Both applications were following the standard procedure. Results of this study showed quality of the physical and mechanical properties of the particleboard bonded by LA were in between particleboard bonded by UF and particleboard bonded by IC, for instance value of MOE (kgf/cm2) was 10594 (UF) < 23529 (LA) < 24413 (IC) and MOR (kgf/cm2) was 5.37 (UF) < 18.14 (LA) < 25.35 (IC). These results indicated that LA was a promising adhesive even though in this case it can be used for interior application only.