Mechanical Properties of Commercial Particleboard from Rubberwood (Hevea Brasiliensis) and Recycle Mix-Tropical Wood with Different Board Density

Abstract

In this study, mechanical properties of commercially manufactured hybrid particleboard from mix-tropical wood and rubberwood with four different densities at 25mm thickness have been investigated. The particleboard sample cutting and testing was in accordance to EN312:2013. The density of particleboard is identified with interval of 10kg/m3 for different densities which include 660kg/m3, 670kg/m3, 680kg/m3 and 690kg/m3. Particleboards were made with the ratio of 40:60 for mix-tropical wood particle and rubberwood particle respectively. The particleboards were prepared with urea formaldehyde (UF) with E1 formulation with addition of wax and hardener.  Increment of 10kg/m3 density for each particleboard led to increase in internal bonding (IB), bending testing include modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE), surface soundness (SS) and screw edge (SE) withdrawal. It was found that with board increment of 10kg/m3, the improvement was not statically significant except that for MOR. All panels met the minimum requirements of standard.