Effect of Particle Size on Some Properties of Rice Husk Particleboard

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of particle size on the mechanical properties (Modulus of Elasticity, Modulus of Rupture, and Internal Bond) and physical properties (thickness swelling and water absorption) of rice husk particleboard. The particle sizes used were 1.0mm, 1.18mm, 2mm, 2.36mm and 2.80mm. Each was mixed with a constant resin (urea formaldehyde) concentration of 20% of oven dry weight of rice husk particles. The results showed that as the particle size increased, the particleboard’s mechanical and physical properties decreased. For example, the modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, internal bond, thickness swelling and water absorption for 1.0mm particle size particleboard were 1590N/mm2, 11.11N/mm2, 0.28N/mm2,10.90% and 38.53% respectively, while for 2.8mm particle size they were 1958N/mm2,14.2N/mm2, 0.44N/mm2, 11.51% and 47.21% respectively. Overall results showed that particleboard made from rice husk exceed the EN standard for modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, internal bond. However, thickness swelling values were poor. Hence, the smaller the particle size the better the properties of the particleboard.