Characterisations of medium-density fibreboards derived from Malaysian Merbau and rubberwood

Abstract

The mechanical and microstructural properties of medium-density fibreboards (MDFs) derived from two Malaysian wood species are investigated. Primarily, pieces of MDF derived from Merbau (Intsia bijuga) and rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) are studied to examine differences in tensile and flexural strengths as well as the difference in their morphological properties. Test results indicate the rubberwood-derived MDF displayed roughly 10% higher Young’s modulus and about 21% higher flexural modulus than the Merbau MDF. Examination via X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy revealed distinct crystallinity and microstructural differences between both MDF samples, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated higher lignin content in the rubberwood MDF. In contrast, the thermogravimetric analyses of both MDF samples yield relatively close thermal stability trends. Numerical simulations of the tests in ANSYS show that a bilinear isotropic hardening model could predict the load-induced stress–strain curves to within 12% deviation (in the elastic and post-elastic region).