Properties of Particleboards Produced from Various Lignocellulosic Particles

Abstract

This study investigated the possibility of using chips obtained from annual plants as substitutes for pine chips in the external layers of boards intended for the building and furniture industries. The tested materials included rape, rye, triticale, reed, and corn straw, as well as pine chips. Three-layer boards were produced with the core layer made from pine chips and the external layers from different annual plants. The chips were glued with 4% polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pDMI) for all layers. The boards were tested for their modulus of rigidity, modulus of elasticity, internal bond, swelling, water absorption, and strength after being subjected to the cooking test. The results showed that in specific conditions, all annual plants may serve as partial substitutes for pine chips in the external layers of particleboards. The presence of these materials was particularly favorable for the modulus of elasticity. Corn straw was the most useful, as the boards supplemented with the material met the requirements of the EN 312 (2010) standard in terms of mechanical properties and water resistance for P5 boards and therefore it can be used in the building industry.