Combined effect of thermoplastic and thermosetting adhesives on properties of particleboard with rice husk core

Abstract

This study investigated the combined effect of adhesive type and content on the dimensional stability and mechanical properties of three-layer particleboards made from a mixture of wood particles (face layer: 30 wt %) and rice husk particles (core layer: 70 wt %). Two types of thermosetting adhesives, liquid urea-formaldehyde (UF) and phenol-formaldehyde (PF), and thermoplastic adhesive (low density polyethylene: LDPE) powder were used as binder in the experiments. Thickness swelling and water absorption of the particleboards significantly decreased with increasing content of the LDPE powder. The incorporation of LDPE powder into the core layer of particleboard greatly improved the internal bond strength.