Mechanical Properties and Surface Characteristics of Colombian Wood Composites

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate mechanical properties and surface roughness characteristics of commercially manufactured particleboard, hardboard, and overlaid particleboard panels in Colombia. Patula pine (Pinus patula) and mixed hardwood species were used as raw material for the panels. Average modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and internal bond (IB) strength of the five types of particleboard panels were 2481, 16.89, and 0.56 MPa, respectively. Hardboard samples had 28% higher MOE values than those of particleboard panels. Overall, mechanical properties of particleboard panels were not statistically different from each other ( p < 0.1). A skid type profilometer with diamond stylus of 5 μm tip radius and 90 ° tip angle was employed for the experiment. Roughness average (R a), average maximum height of the profile (Rz), and maximum roughness depth (Rmax) were used to evaluate quantitatively surface characteristics of the specimens. Particleboard panel type C had the smoothest surface with average values of 4.15, 35.24, and 50.06 μm for Ra , Rz, and Rmax, respectively. It was found that no statistically ( p < 0.1) significant difference existed between the values of all three parameters taken both parallel and perpendicular to sandmarks of particleboard samples. Hardboard panels had relatively lower roughness values with their superior surface characteristics as compared to those of particleboard samples.