Pepper stalks (Capsicum annuum) as raw material for particleboard manufacturing

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate possible feasibility of pepper stalks in the production of particleboard. Chemical composition and fiber properties of the pepper stalks were determined and three-layer experimental particleboards with density of 0.53, 0.63 and 0.73 g cm-3 were manufactured from pepper stalks using certain ratios of Urea Formaldehyde (UF) and Melamine Urea Formaldehyde (MUF) adhesives. Some physical and mechanical properties of the boards were tested. The experimental results have shown that production of general purpose and furniture grade particleboard used in dry conditions using pepper stalks is technically feasible. The results of the study demonstrated that pepper stalks can be an alternative raw material for particleboard industry. © 2008 Asian Network for Scientific Information.