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The pulp and paper industry generates vast quantities of paper sludge, posing significant environmental challenges due to its disposal in landfills or incineration. This study explores the potential of valorizing paper sludge by incorporating it into particleboard production. It aims to optimize sludge content and particle size to enhance board properties—a novel approach to waste management in the wood composites industry. Through systematic variation of sludge content (0–25%) and particle size (< 0.5 to > 2 mm), we assessed the mechanical and physical properties such as internal bond strength (IB), modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), water absorption (WA), and thickness swelling (TS). The findings indicate that incorporating paper sludge at moderate levels (5–15%) with optimized particle sizes (< 1 mm) significantly improves the mechanical properties of the particleboard, including increased IB, MOR, and MOE while reducing WA and TS. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) further supported these results, revealing that higher-density boards with enhanced mechanical properties absorb less water, highlighting the interrelationship between structural integrity and moisture resistance. The PCA also identified thickness swelling as an independent factor, suggesting that while mechanical properties can be optimized, additional strategies are needed to control swelling. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that up to 15% paper sludge can be effectively used in particleboard production without compromising quality, provided particle size is carefully controlled. This approach not only offers a sustainable solution for managing paper sludge but also contributes to the development of eco-friendly composite materials, aligning with circular economy principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on producing particleboards from the biomass of plantation willow (Salix viminalis L.) and poplar (Populus spp.), aiming to explore their feasibility as sustainable materials for various applications. Fast-growing willow and poplar are known for their rapid growth and suitability for energy production. They present an intriguing alternative as raw materials with added value for particleboard manufacturing. This study investigates the selected mechanical and physical properties of the produced particleboards, considering parameters such as density profile, bending strength, modulus of elasticity, internal bond, water absorption, thickness swelling, and screw withdrawal resistance. The research results were also compared between different mass shares of willow and poplar particles in the particleboards. The results show that the panels produced entirely from the tested alternative raw materials had a modulus of rupture of 21.7 N mm−2 compared to 14.6 N mm−2 for the reference panels, with an internal bond of about 2.02 N mm−2 compared to 0.65 N mm−2 for the reference panels. The thickness swelling after 24 h of soaking was about 24.2% compared to 42.2% for reference panels. The findings underscore the promising potential of willow and poplar-based particleboards as eco-friendly alternatives in the construction and furniture industries, contributing to resource efficiency and carbon emission reduction efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particleboards find extensive application in both civil construction and the furniture industry. Nevertheless, concerns about the interaction of panels with humidity require the exploration of alternative sources to develop a product that meets the requirements for use. This work aims to produce single-layer particleboards with coconut fiber (Cocos nucifera) as substrate, bonded with 10% by mass castor oil-based polyurethane resin (CPUR). Two groups of mixtures were proposed, different from each other in the initial moisture content of the Cocos nucifera particles, ranging from 0 to 2% and from 4% to 6%. For this purpose, density (D), thickness swelling after 24 h (TS), moisture content (MC), and water absorption (WA) were evaluated. The Tukey mean contrast test, at a 5% significance level, was used to verify the influence of the initial moisture content of the particles on the physical properties of the particleboards. The microstructure of the composites was assessed through the utilization of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. The results indicated better compaction of the C. nucifera particles, resulting in fewer voids, contributing to the densification of the panels and, with this, the reduction of water absorption by 15.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of shredded waste office paper was considered when producing one-layered particleboard. Five different mixing ratios of shredded waste office paper/wood particles were used (0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, and 100/0) and two amounts of urea formaldehyde (UF) resin (10% and 15%). The boards were tested for their physical and mechanical properties, including modulus of elasticity (MOE), bending strength (MOR), and internal bond (IB) strength, in accordance with the European Norm (EN) standards. All properties of the boards were found to be improved via increasing the resin content. The 15% UF-bonded board with 100% wood particles had the highest MOR, whereas the board containing 100% wastepaper for 15% UF had the highest MOE. However, there was no statistical difference between the board types. Although increasing wastepaper content in the board negatively affected the IB, the usage of wastepaper up to 25% was shown to be acceptable as a raw material in the production of particleboard. None of the prepared boards met the EN 312 (1999) requirements for thickness swelling. The boards made from shredded waste office paper were more suitable for dry and indoor use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various methods for the effective modification of urea–formaldehyde (UF) adhesives, aimed at enhancing the performance of wood-based materials, have been continually explored worldwide. The aim of this work was to investigate and evaluate the effect of introducing small amounts (0.25–1.5%) of activated carbon from coconut shells (ACCS) in UF adhesive on the properties of particleboard. The performed investigations of the adhesive mixture's properties showed an increase in both viscosity and reactivity. Moreover, the use of loadings of 0.75% and 1% had a positive effect on mechanical properties such as bending strength, modulus of elasticity, and internal bond. In these variants, a delay in the degradation of the adhesive bonds by water was also observed, as indicated by the lower thickness swelling values measured after 2 h. However, under long-term exposure to water, the modification had no considerable effect on the dimensional stability of the boards. Markedly, the addition of 1 and 1.5% of ACCS resulted in a reduction in formaldehyde content, which can be attributed to the excellent adsorption capacity of activated carbon. Overall, a loading of 1% was found to be optimal, resulting in improved strength, enhanced water resistance, and reduced formaldehyde content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particleboard is a commonly used material in the construction of furniture. It is an engineered wood product made from wood particles, such as wood chips, sawmill shavings, or sawdust, combined with a resin binder and compressed into sheets. The advantages of using this material are its uniformity, stability, and affordable price. Some performance must be tested to ensure its quality and strength properties so that it can be used as a built-in material. This study evaluated deflection performance based on the different thicknesses and sizes. The objective of this study was to determine the deflection properties over time. The deflective capabilities of particleboard with 16, 18 and 25 mm thicknesses and sizes of 400 × 384, 560 × 350, 760 × 330, 800 × 380 and 910 × 390 mm were investigated in three weeks. Remarkably, the particleboard with a 25 mm thickness exhibited markedly diminished deflection two to three times lower than that of 18 mm and 16 mm thickness, thereby showcasing its superior strength when subjected to various loads. Conversely, utilizing longer spans resulted in noteworthy deflection increments, implying that extended spans tend to manifest increased deflection as time progresses. These observations indicate that a thicker and shorter particleboard is well-suited for use as a building material, given its lower deflection over time. In conclusion, this study elucidates the intricate relationship between particleboard characteristics and deflection behavior, providing valuable guidance for selecting suitable particleboards based on load requirements and structural considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particleboards have gained attention in the global market. Understanding their physical–mechanical behavior in the current technological context is essential due to adhesive polymerization, which depends on variables such as pressing time and temperature. Today, the use of nanoparticles has become a plausible option for improving the properties of polymers used in wood-based composites. This study evaluates the influences of the addition of non-commercial 0.5% aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and aluminum oxide copper (CuO) nanoparticles using a greener route with a lower environmental impact obtaining a urea-formaldehyde (UF)-based polymeric adhesive to manufacture particle composites of Eucalyptus urophylla var. grandis wood. Regarding characterizations, the resin properties analyzed were viscosity, gel time, and pH, as well as panel properties, including density, moisture content, thickness swelling, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and thermal conductivity. The results were compared with scientific publications and standards. The addition of nanoparticles interfered with viscosity, and all treatments indicated a basic pH. It was not possible to determine the gel time after 10 min. Nanoparticles added to the polymers in the internal layer did not cause an improvement in the swelling properties in terms of thickness, with no significant statistical difference for density and moisture content. The increase from 150 °C to 180 °C may have caused an improvement in all physical–mechanical properties, indicating that the higher temperature positively influenced the polymerization of the formaldehyde-based adhesive. Therefore, the additions of both nanoparticles (0.5% in each condition) led to a limitation in the material influence with respect to physical–mechanical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repurposing agricultural and forestry by-products not only is beneficial for the environment but also follows the principles of the circular economy. In southeastern Spain, the Canary Island palm tree (Phoenix canariensis W.) is widely used in urban landscapes. Plantations affected by the red weevil, a pest, generate an abundance of plant waste that must be crushed and transferred to authorized landfills. The aim of this study was to manufacture boards using particles from trunks of the Canary Island palm tree without adding any binders in order to obtain an ecological and fire-resistant product. In order to manufacture the boards, three particle sizes (<0.25, 0.25–1, and 1–2 mm), a temperature of 110 °C, a pressure of 2.6 MPa, and a pressing time of 7 min were used. The boards were pressed in a hot plate press for 7 min up to four times (7 min, 7 + 7 min, 7 + 7 + 7 min, and 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 min). The resulting boards showed good thermal performance, and the board´s reaction-to-fire performance was classified as Bd0 (an Fs value of 70.3 mm). This study also showed that boards with a particle size smaller than 0.25 mm that underwent four pressing cycles of 7 min each in the press can be categorized as grade P2 according to the European Standards (MOR of 20 N/mm2, MOE of 2589.8 N/mm2, and IB of 0.74 N/mm2). Therefore, these manufactured particleboards could be used as a flame-retardant material for the interior enclosures of buildings (vertical and horizontal) without the need for coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the industrial success of bio-based adhesives remains limited, despite the growing interest in these compounds. One example is the use of lignosulfonates (LS), a byproduct from the pulp and paper industry, which requires long pressing times to ensure proper performance for wood-based panel production. This study successfully manufactured particleboards using a low press factor of 7.5 s/mm, commonly used for conventional urea-formaldehyde resins on a lab scale. To the best of our knowledge, lignin-based particleboards have never been reported using such low press factors. Thus, 3-layer boards were manufactured in which the core layer was bonded with polymeric isocyanate (pMDI), and the surface layers were bonded with LS. Propylene carbonate (PC) was used as a solvent for pMDI to improve adhesive distribution. The optimum amounts of adhesive were determined using response surface methodology: 1.3% pMDI with 2.2% PC in the core layer and 15% LS in the surface layers. These boards obeyed the requirements of standard EN 312 for general-purpose boards for use in dry conditions (type P1). Their formaldehyde content, determined through the perforator method, was equal to that of the wood mix at the maximum value set by IKEA for class E0.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffee husk (CH) and brewery spent grain (BSG) fibers are sustainable industrial residues that consist of cellulose. The present study aimed at the extraction of cellulose from CH and BSG fibers and to study the effect of alkali-hydrogen peroxide (5% NaOH–7% H2O2) treatment during the extraction by characterizing the extracted cellulose. Characterization of cellulose particles, such as crystallinity, functional groups, thermal properties, and morphology, was conducted by performing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The finding shows that the maximum cellulose yields obtained from CH and BSG fibers are 37.3% and 26.5%, respectively. From the XRD results, the cellulose obtained from CH fiber (C-CH) and from BSG fiber (C-BSG) showed diffractive peaks with the highest intensity of approximately 1,003 and 1,236 counted at 2θ = 22°, respectively. A reduction in the absorption of peaks was observed on the FTIR spectrum for both C-BSG and C-CH samples at different wavelengths. SEM demonstrated that the surface roughness of the celluloses was enhanced. TGA showed that the maximum temperature decomposition observed for both C-CH and C-BSG is 360°C and 380°C, respectively. Generally, in this study, alkali-hydrogen peroxide (5% NaOH–7% H2O2) treatment was effectively used for the treatment of BSG and CH fibers for the extraction and surface modification of cellulose particles. The extracted cellulose in the present study can be used as an alternative to conventional cellulose for the manufacturing of biocomposite materials, preparation of particle boards and furniture, and production of food packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent reports indicate that the development of electricity generation using wind turbines will continue to grow. Despite the long service life of wind turbine blades, their technological life comes to an end at a certain point. Currently, there is no industrial method for recycling them, and the proposed solutions need to consider a complete and comprehensive approach to this material. In many countries, these blades are stored in special landfills and await proposals for rational recycling. It has been proposed that this recyclable yet still troublesome raw material be used in building sheathing boards. Sheathing boards used in the construction industry have a relatively long lifecycle. Three types of polymer chips and two resins, i.e., PF and MUF, were used in the study. The boards' quality was assessed per the standards specified for particle boards. The resulting boards were characterized by strengths above 20 N/mm2 and an elastic modulus close to 4000 N/mm2. Slightly better results were obtained with the MUF resin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The valorization of bioeconomy by-products holds immense significance in achieving sustainability goals and fostering resource efficiency, not only to reduce the amount of waste generated but also to significantly decrease the carbon footprint associated with several industrial fields, by promoting circular economy. The wine industry is not only one of the major contributors for world’s economy but also a great producer of by-products, with no valorization process associated. Grape stalks are a great source of chemical molecules, as polyphenols, that can be applied in the production of bio-adhesives. In the present work, grape stalk particles were used as raw material to obtain a highly rich extract with bonding properties through solid/liquid extraction. Different extraction agents were tested (water, NaOH, and Na2CO3) at varied concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0%, respectively). Additionally, extracts were chemically characterized, and the bonding capacity was also evaluated. Using NaOH 1.0%, an extraction efficiency of 8.9% and a total content of polyphenols of 1.4% were achieved. Moreover, all extracts presented an interesting bonding capacity (>1.0 MPa) by hot-press at 120°C for 120 s. The composite panel produced using grape stalk adhesive and vine strain particles fulfills the requirements for type P1 particleboards in terms of internal bond strength, reaching 0.66 MPa. The mechanical and wettability properties of composite material allow foreseeing a promising application in the food packaging industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There have been beaching events of the marine alga pelagic sargassum in coastal regions of the Caribbean Sea, West African countries, and the north-northeast region of Brazil since 2011. Its presence has caused environmental and socioeconomic impacts while several studies were conducted in order to understand the causes of this phenomenon, as well as alternatives to mitigate its impacts. The objective of this research was to evaluate pelagic sargassum biomass from beaching as a raw material for the manufacture of medium-density multilayer particleboards, aiming for an application that can reduce the impacts generated by the disposal of this seaweed on beaches and landfills. These are composed of 30% sargassum particles in their inner layer and 70% sugarcane bagasse particles on their outer layers, which are bonded with castor-oil-based polyurethane resin. A physical and chemical characterization was carried out in order to evaluate sargassum particles while physical and mechanical tests were carried out in order to evaluate the panels. Results were subsequently compared with indications from different particleboard standards. A life cycle assessment was carried out to complement the feasibility study of these panels and to compare their different manufacturing processes. The multilayer panels met the minimum requirements for physical and mechanical properties established by regulations, indicating that the Sargassum spp. biomass can be used as filling. The life cycle assessment study indicates that sargassum panels produced in the Belém, PA, Brazil, region present lower environmental impacts in four of seven evaluated categories when compared to conventional panels. Given the results obtained, the use of sargassum from beaching events as raw material for panels can be presented as an alternative for reducing social, economic, and environmental impacts in the regions affected by these events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring the tightness of buildings using self-adhesive tapes is one of the cost-effective, efficient, and reliable solutions. There is a lack of research, standards, and methodologies for construction adhesive tape, especially for assessing the functional properties of the tape after ageing. The aim of this work is to evaluate the tightness of different building surfaces and adhesive tape systems by conducting artificial ageing. It was found that adhesive tapes with an acrylic adhesive base ensured a fully sealed system. In all cases, tapes applied to surfaces such as plywood, gypsum plasterboard, cement-bonded particle board, plastered cement-bonded particle board, and plastic board provided sufficient sealing. The air permeability of the tapes on the OSB was two to seven times higher than that of the defined sealed system with other surfaces. In most cases, air permeability increased on OSB, gypsum plasterboard, and plastered cement-bonded particle board after ageing. The least problematic surface is the plastic board. In all tested cases, adequate sealing was observed after ageing, with only three of all tested tapes not providing sufficient bonding strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, under laboratory conditions, hazelnut husk and astragalus plant were mixed separately into black pine wood chips, and multi-purpose boards were produced from the obtained chips with urea formaldehyde glue. After the hazelnut husk and astragalus plant were dried and ground, they were added to the chip and glue mixture in certain proportions. Hazelnut husk mixture ratios were applied as 100 %; 0 %, 75 %; 25 %, 50 %; 50 %, 25 %; 75 %, 0 %; 100 % to black pine wood chip in the particle board mixture. These ratios were made in the same way for the astragalus plant. From these mixtures, chipboard blanks of 16 mm thickness and densities between 0,68 g/cm3 and 0,72 g/cm3 were produced. Density, moisture content, thickness increase, water intake, bending strength, modulus of elasticity in bending and tensile strength perpendicular to the surface were tested in physical and mechanical experiments. According to the results obtained, as the participation rate of hazelnut shells and astragalus increased, the durability properties of the panels decreased. At the same time, it shows that the technological properties of the panels produced by adding up to 25 % astragalus plant and hazelnut shells to the mixture comply with the standards.

This work was undertaken to examine the compatibility of bamboo particles and their bonding with Portland cement for bamboo-reinforced cement-bonded particle board. Pozzolana Portland cement was used as a sizing agent. The amount of bamboo particles was taken on an air-dry basis of cement. Sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and aluminium sulphate [Al2(So4)3] were used to prevent the heat of hydration and increase the rate of cement setting, respectively. Different ratios of cement and bamboo particles were used to study the properties of the particle board. The physical and mechanical properties of Bambusa bambos bamboo reinforced cement bonded particle boards were evaluated. The density of the boards varied between 1.28 g/cm3 to 1.36 g/cm3 in 2.0:1.0 and 3.0:1.0 cement: particle ratios, respectively. The moisture content of the boards was 9.96 %, 6.98 % and 6.62 % for 2.0:1.0, 2.5:1.0 and 3.0:1.0 ratios of cement: particle, respectively. The physical properties of the board, such as density, moisture content, water absorption and thickness swelling decreased with an increase in the cement: bamboo particle ratio. The maximum MOR and MOE were 9.17 N/mm2 and 4884 N/mm2, respectively in 3.0:1.0 cement: bamboo particle ratios. The mechanical properties of the boards such as tensile strength, modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and screw withdrawal were increased with an increase in the cement: bamboo particle ratios. The 2.5:1.0 and 3.0:1.0 cement: bamboo particle ratios performed best for cement-bonded particle boards and also passed the IS: 14276 standard. These cement-bonded particle boards can be used for partitioning, wall cladding, flooring, false sealing, kitchen cabinets and other purposes.

This study investigated the best mix sawdust, bamboo leaves, and urea formaldehyde to create particleboard by optimizing the mixing ratio. Finding the optimal ratio of sawdust, urea formaldehyde, and bamboo leaves for the binders used in particle board production was the aim of this study. The particle boards' mechanical and physical tests were investigated. The surface morphology of particleboards and its elemental compositions were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The result observed from mechanical and physical tests conducted particle boards showed that best particleboard of composition 100 % sawdust, 50 % bamboo leaves and 2.5 g urea had the highest density of 675.643 kg/m3, modulus rupture of 3.84 N/mm2 and modulus elasticity of 2756 N/mm2. The optimal level generated by the experimental design of composition 50 % sawdust, 50 % bamboo leaves and 2.0 g urea were validated. MOR of 13.02 N/mm2 and MOE observed were 881.39 N/mm2. The SEM and EDS results revealed that optimal particleboard of validated experiment had surface with more fibrous network structures than particle board of the best process level. The particleboard that was produced from validated experiment complied with the American National Standard ANSI/A208.1–999.

Waste management and recycling have led to numerous studies on particleboard production. This study attempted to use milled corncob (MCC) and waste ceramic tiles (WCTs) to produce particleboard. The MCC (100−70 wt.%) and WCT (0–30 wt.%) were mixed at different ratios, mixed and compressed at a pressure of 0.25 MPa using urea formaldehyde (UF) resin as adhesive. The physicomechanical and thermal properties of the particleboards produced were investigated. The physical properties (bulk density, water absorption, and thickness swelling) improved with composite particleboard compared to the 100% MCC particleboard. The increase in WCT yielded improved density and lowered the particleboard's water absorption and thickness swelling. The mechanical tests showed that MOE values were below the recommended standard, which makes them unsuitable for structural use. However, MOR revealed values above the recommended standard. The thermal conductivity of the particleboards was reduced with increased WCT, and the required standard was found to be met. Hence, the particleboards produced are found helpful as thermal wall insulators. Based on the experiments done, sample R7 (70% MCC and 30% WCT) was considered the most preferable since it achieved the most preferable physicomechanical and thermal conductivity performance. The particleboards produced are recommended for wall partitioning and other internal and external purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shear resistance of a structural particleboard (PB) wall was evaluated as a means to utilize recycled wood and low-grade logs for long periods. The wall was composed of spruce-pine-fir (SPF) lumber, nails, and structural PB, which was developed by improving the water resistance of default PB. Structural PB has a higher density than OSB, which is a commonly used covering material for light wooden structural walls, so a longer end distance for nailing at edge of sheathing is needed for structural PB. In this study, it was confirmed that structural PB walls sufficiently resisted lateral load when the end distance was 15 mm. In this case, the shear strength, shear modulus, and ductility of the structural PB wall for lateral cyclic load were confirmed as 9.2 kN/m, 2.0 kN/mm, and 6.2, respectively. When compared to the design value, the shear strength value was higher than that of the OSB wall and the plywood wall. The shear modulus was lower than that of OSB walls, but higher than plywood walls. Based on the above results, it was considered that structural PB light-frame wall could be used in residential load-bearing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing scarcity of virgin natural resources and the need for sustainable waste management in densely populated urban areas have heightened the importance of developing new recycling technologies. One promising approach involves recycling agricultural waste in construction applications and transforming it into secondary products. This is anticipated to reduce the demand for new resources and lower the environmental impact, aligning with industrial ecology principles. Combined with a low carbon emission binder (i.e., alkali-activated), utilizing agro-waste to produce zero-cement particle boards is a promising method for green construction. Traditionally, particle boards are engineered from wood or agricultural waste products that are pressed and bonded with a binder, such as cement or synthetic resins. However, alternative binders replace cement in zero-cement particle boards to address environmental concerns, such as the carbon dioxide emissions associated with cement production. This study investigated the effects of accelerated aging on the performance of alkali-activated agro-waste particle boards. Accelerated aging conditions simulate natural aging phenomena. Repeated wetting–drying and freezing–thawing cycles increased water absorption and thickness swelling and reduced flexural strength. The thermal performance of the alkali-activated particle boards did not exhibit significant changes. Hence, it was confirmed that agro-waste has a high potential for utilization in producing particle boards provided that the working environment is carefully selected to optimize performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While most of the influences on the mechanical properties of particleboard appear to have been investigated, there is a lack of knowledge about the influence of particle size or particle dimensions due to the absence of a suitable particle measuring technique. The introduction of laser-based 3D scanning technology makes it possible to automatically determine the dimensions, surface area, and volume of particles. In this study, the influence of particle size on the mechanical properties of particleboards was investigated. To isolate potentially overlapping influences, single-layer particleboards with a uniform density profile were produced and analyzed. The amount of adhesive specific to the surface of the (fine) face layer particles and (coarse) core layer particles was adjusted utilizing 3D scanning of the surface areas to ensure comparability despite changes in particle size. It was found that with increasing particle size, the modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) increase, while the internal bond strength (IB) decreases. It is considered whether these effects result from a particle-size-dependent orientation of the particles in the board. Furthermore, it is shown that all the aforementioned properties increase with increasing surface-specific adhesive amounts. Examples are provided to demonstrate how such fundamental relationships can be utilized to enhance the particleboard production process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste plywood containing phenol–formaldehyde (PF) resin is one of the materials that are difficult to use in the production of particleboards based on UF resin. Therefore, the aim of this research was to analyze the possibility of using this type of waste in the production of particleboards bonded with melamine-urea-phenol-formaldehyde (MUPF) resin in order to determine their suitability for particleboard production. The pressing process and density profile of three-layer particleboards were presented. The press closing time for mats containing only recovered particles in the core layer (100%), produced with a face layer ratio of 50%, a resin load for a face layer of 12%, and a core layer of 10%, at a unit pressure of 3 MPa, was 29% shorter than for the industrial particle mats. Regardless of the level of variability of independent factors, the heating time of the mats containing recovered particles was 10–20% shorter than the heating time of the mats with industrial particles. The greatest impact on the maximum density of the face layer of particleboards was observed for the content of the recovered particles and then the resin load. The maximum density area of the face layer was located closer to the surface in particleboards produced with a higher (80%, 100%) content of the recovered particles, a higher (i.e., 12% and 10%, respectively, for face and core layers) resin load, a lower (35%) face layer ratio, and a higher (3 MPa) unit pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the upcycling process of thermoplastic waste polystyrene (WPS) into thermosetting particleboard adhesive using two cross-linkers, namely methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and maleic anhydride (MA). The WPS was dissolved in an organic co-solvent. The weight ratio of WPS/co-solvent was 1:9, and 10% of cross-linkers based on the WPS solids content were added subsequently at 60 °C under continuous stirring for 30 min. The adhesive properties, cohesion strength, and thermo-mechanical properties of WPS-based adhesives were examined to investigate the change of thermoplastic WPS to thermosetting adhesives. The bonding strength of WPS-based adhesives was evaluated in particleboard made of sengon (Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J.W. Grimes) wood and rice straw particles at different weight ratios according to the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) A 5908:2003. Rheology and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis revealed that modification with MDI and MA resulted in thermosetting properties in WPS-based adhesives by increasing the viscosity at a temperature above 72.7 °C and reaching the maximum storage modulus above 90.8 °C. WPS modified with MDI had a lower activation energy (Ea) value (83.4 kJ/mole) compared to the WPS modified with MA (150.8 kJ/mole), indicating the cross-linking with MDI was much faster compared with MA. Particleboard fabricated from 100% sengon wood particles bonded with WPS modified with MDI fulfilled the minimum requirement of JIS A 5908:2003 for interior applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adhesives are significant for manufacturing competent, light, and sturdy goods in various industries. Adhesives are an important part of the modern manufacturing landscape because of their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and ability to enhance product performance. Formaldehyde and polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI) are conventional adhesives utilized in wood applications and have been classified as carcinogenic, toxic, and unsustainable. Given the adverse environmental and health effects associated with synthetic adhesives, there is a growing research interest aimed at developing environmentally friendly bio-based wood adhesives derived from renewable resources. This study aimed to extract starch from camote and cassava peels and focuses on the oxidization of starch derived from camote and cassava peels using sodium hypochlorite to create bio-based adhesives. The mean yield of starch extracted from camote and cassava peels was 13.19 ± 0.48% and 18.92 ± 0.15%, respectively, while the mean weight of the oxidized starches was 34.80 g and 45.34 g for camote and cassava, respectively. Various starch ratios sourced from camote and cassava peels were examined in the production of bio-based adhesives. The results indicate that the 40:60 camote to cassava ratio yielded the highest solid content, while the 80:20 ratio resulted in the best viscosity. Furthermore, the 40:60 ratio produced the most favorable particle board in terms of mechanical properties, density, thickness, swelling, and water absorption. Consequently, the starch extracted from camote and cassava peels holds promise as a potential source for bio-based adhesives following appropriate chemical modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2010, huge quantities of Sargassum spp. algae have been proliferating in the Atlantic Ocean and stranding on Caribbean beaches, causing major economic, environmental, and health problems. In this study, an innovative high-density binderless particleboard was developed using uniaxial thermo-compression coupled with a cooling system. The raw material consisted of ground Sargassum seaweeds pre-treated by twin-screw extrusion with water to remove sea salt. The raw material and the particleboards were produced by using various analytical techniques such as Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), or Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The experimental conditions for thermo-compression (temperature, pressure, time) were evaluated. The best thermo-compression conditions tested were 200 °C, 40 MPa pressure for 7.5 min. This resulted in a particleboard with high density (up to 1.63 ± 0.02 g/cm3) and high flexural strength/modulus (up to 32.3 ± 1.8 MPa/6.8 ± 0.2 GPa, respectively), but a low water contact angle of 38.9° ± 3.5°. Thermal analyses revealed the effect of alginates on the mechanical properties of particleboards. This work opens the door to a new way of adding value to Sargassum seaweed, using the whole algae with minimal pre-treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood chipboard, common in interior spaces for applications ranging from furniture to decorative panelling, often falls short due to the presence of toxic adhesives, posing risks to both human health and the environment. This research delves into the potential transformation of wood chipboard into a 100% bio-based product. Previous research has shown the possibility of the partial replacement of petrochemical-based adhesives with bio-based adhesives. Hence, previous results do not reach the policy ambitions of the Green Deal of making the Green Transition to a bio-based economy. For chipboard production, logging residues from Latvian State Forests were systematically gathered within two months post-logging, comprising primarily Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris biomass, including branches, needles, bark, and various particles. A custom chipper and Vibrotehnik PM-120 hammer mill were employed for particle size separation into three fractions via sieving: <2.8 mm, 2.8–8 mm, and 8.0–10.0 mm, and combined with binders and hot-pressed into board samples. As a result, particle boards containing 100% bio-based carbon were achieved, demonstrating the possibility of excluding petroleum adhesives from chipboard production, paving the way for new research exploring bio-based binders and conifer bark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the decorative properties of Magnesium-Glass-Board (MGB), the surface morphology and decoration performance of MGB, are studied in detail by using profilometer, microscope and SEM, and the influence of its characterization, such as surface roughness, surface porosity and wettability, on decorative properties of MGB is analyzed by comparing with medium density fiberboard (MDF) and medium density particleboard (MDP). The results first showed that the surface of MGB has a porous structure, but MDF and MDP are not, resulting in a poor decorative performance of MGB. Second, it is found that the surface wettability of MGB is better than others. Third, the hot-pressing parameters including pressure, temperature and time have different influence on decorative performance of MGB during hot-pressing experiment. Finally, the surface bonding strength is positively correlated with pressure, but not with temperature and time. In general, a higher surface bonding strength led to a better decorative performance of MGB. The furthermore research can concentrate on the modification method of the MGB's surface according to this paper's conclusion to improve the lamination performance of melamine paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, industrial hemp offers consumers over 25,000 value-added products that are valued at approximately US$4.2 billion of current market value and likely to surpass US$26.6 billion by 2025. In Northern Australia, the industrial hemp sector is at infancy stages of development. Given the suitability of certain Northern Australia's geographical zones in terms of soil, water, and climate, a study was conducted to identify potential industrial hemp value chains. Probable value chains were developed by characterizing the production to market segments of the supply chains to determine the return on investment and analyzing the capacity of the stakeholders in terms of communication and relationships. Consequently, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of the developed value chains were analyzed. This study collected data from three complementary sources that included review of the literature, results of variety trials evaluation conducted in Northern Australia, and survey of hemp industry stakeholders. Results suggested that Northern Australia offers conducive growing conditions for hemp that allows for the development of three value chains including seed, fiber, and silage. The research recommended ongoing investment in the industry through engagement of public and private sector while focusing on further establishment of the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As woods are dwindling and agriculture waste burning causes severe air pollution and releases greenhouse gases, the processing of Hemp and lignocellulosic surplus materials into chipboards and other construction elements, may substitute timber and reduce environmental pollution. The presented environmental-friendly technology has the potential of processing hemp and recycling residual materials into industrial woodchip boards and structural elements and without the use of hazardous expensive resins. By applying cold plasma pre-treatment followed by the pressing stage acceptable wood chip standard physical properties are achieved. The irradiation dosage is probably optimal since once exceeding the dosage applied, wood disintegration starts; the process improvement may be related to the pressing configuration. Since the pressing temperature and duration are probably higher than required, the element that may still be aligned is the pressing pressure. Moreover, the positive correlation between sample strength and pressing pressure did not reach a steady state value even when pressing the sample to the maximum possible pressure allowed in the existing equipment (5.5 tons). It is suggested that by increasing the pressing pressure and decreasing the pressing temperature a significant strength improvement will be attained. It is assumed that 20 tons/m2 pressing pressure will be sufficient to attain the desired properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milling wood-based materials on CNC devices causes the creation of chips in small sizes that may escape the chip extraction zone to the surrounding environment and pollute the air. The article studied the effect of the feed rate (vf) and the width of cut (ae), transformed into kinematic average chip thickness, on the amounts of chips in respirable sizes <10.0μm created in the cutting zone from particleboards (PB) and medium-density fibreboards (MDF). The amounts of dust-sized chips are discussed and were determined by the sieving analysis. The sizes of potentially respirable chips were estimated by weighting with the laser diffraction method. The highest amounts of chips from PB were of 0.250-0.500 mm (38-41%w), but in MDF, amounts varied depending on cutting conditions. With (ae) 1 mm were in the size range of 0.125-0.250 mm (35-54%w), for (ae) 2 mm (33-35%w), and (ae) 3 mm (36-40%w) with combinations of (vf) 6-8 m·min-1. With a combination of (vf) 10 and 12 m·min-1 distribution moved to a higher size range. Chips in sizes 10.0-4.0 μm were estimated by <1%, for 4.0-2.5 μm <0.5%, in 2.5-0.1 μm <0.3%, and <0.1 μm by <0.05%. Statistically was proven (p<0.05) only in PB, with adjusted (ae) by 1 mm, increasing the value of (vf) from 6 to 12 m·min-1 and also with (vf) at 6 m·min-1, between values of (ae) 1 and 2 mm (hm of 0.025-0.035 mm), will significantly (p<0.05) lower the percentual amounts of chips in sizes 10.0-4.0 and 4.0-2.5 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle panels for construction are environmentally favorable, as they allow the combination of different components (as is the case with agroindustrial waste from the production and processing of food and products derived from agricultural activities). The objective of this article is to analyze studies focused on the use of cassava by-products in the production of panels for civil construction/furniture in the last 10 years through a bibliographical survey, as well as to present a preliminary analysis of the feasibility of using cassava by-products to manufacture particle panels in their natural state. As a result, the theoretical search detected the gap created by the scarcity of published studies on the topic. On the other hand, the experimental analysis indicated the promising potential of using the cassava by-product for panel production, provided that the weaknesses initially indicated in this research can be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research addresses the current need for sustainable solutions in the construction and furniture industries, with a focus on environmentally friendly particleboard. Particleboards were made from a mixture of virgin wood chips and hemp shives, which were then mechanically recycled and used to make new lightweight particleboards. Phenol–formaldehyde resin with 25% w/w phenol replacement by soybean flour (PFS) was used as the binder for the lignocellulosic materials. Laboratory analyses determined the resin properties, and FTIR confirmed the structure of the experimental PFS resin. The thermal properties of all the resins were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The panels were manufactured using industrial simulation and tested for mechanical and physical properties in accordance with European standards. The FTIR study confirmed good adhesion, and the TGA showed improved thermal stability for the recycled biomass panels compared to virgin biomass panels. The study concludes that lightweight particleboards can be successfully produced from recycled hemp shive-based panels, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional materials in the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brewer's spent grain (BSG) is the main solid waste generated in beer production and primarily consists of barley malt husks. Based on the active promotion of circular economy practices aimed at recycling food industry by-products, this study assessed for the first time the production of particleboards based on BSG as the sole source of lignocellulosic material and natural adhesive without the use of additives or other substrates. In order to achieve particleboards from entirely sustainable sources, BSG particles have to self-bind by thermo-compression with water. In this context, the aim of this study is to assess the effects of pressing temperatures and particle size on properties such as modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, internal bond, thickness swelling, and water absorption. The performance of binderless boards was compared with that of a control panel (control) using BSG combined with phenolic resin. Processing conditions were selected to produce boards with a target density of 1000 kg/m³ and a thickness of 5 mm. To confirm the efficiency of the self-adhesion process, scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the boards. The processes of self-adhesion and particle-to-particle contact were facilitated at a pressing temperature of 170 °C and a particle size range of 200–2380 µm (ground BSG), resulting in improved flexural properties and enhanced water resistance. The properties of BSG-based binderless boards were comparable to those reported for other biomass residues, suggesting that they might be used in non-structural applications, such as interior decoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we report the detection of five strong gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) by the High-Energy Particle Detector (HEPD-01) mounted on board the China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite, operational since 2018 on a Sun-synchronous polar orbit at a ∼507 km altitude and 97° inclination. HEPD-01 was designed to detect high-energy electrons in the energy range 3–100 MeV, protons in the range 30–300 MeV, and light nuclei in the range 30–300 MeV n−1. Nonetheless, Monte Carlo simulations have shown HEPD-01 is sensitive to gamma-ray photons in the energy range 300 keV–50 MeV, even if with a moderate effective area above ∼5 MeV. A dedicated time correlation analysis between GRBs reported in literature and signals from a set of HEPD-01 trigger configuration masks has confirmed the anticipated detector sensitivity to high-energy photons. A comparison between the simultaneous time profiles of HEPD-01 electron fluxes and photons from GRB190114C, GRB190305A, GRB190928A, GRB200826B, and GRB211211A has shown a remarkable similarity, in spite of the different energy ranges. The high-energy response, with peak sensitivity at about 2 MeV, and moderate effective area of the detector in the actual flight configuration explain why these five GRBs, characterized by a fluence above ∼3 × 10−5 erg cm−2 in the energy interval 300 keV–50 MeV, have been detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gazi Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi Part C: Tasarım ve Teknoloji is the property of Gazi University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sago is a plant that grows naturally in some areas in Southeast and South Asia. Despite having multiple advantages, the usage of the sago palm is primarily from its starch content and is commonly used as an alternative replacement for white rice and wheat flour, the two most prominent staple foods, in several regions. Additionally, people are now more aware of how the total area of sago forests has decreased as monoculture, cash crops, or other food crop development have replaced it. This condition may endanger the ecology and the sustainability of food diversity. To support the bioeconomy principles, various utilizations of sago by turning it into higher value-added biomass need to be explored. The paper aims to review the potential utilization of sago as biomass and bioenergy as a value-added product after processing it for food. A literature review method in Scopus and PubMed databases was used to answer the research objective. Sago palm can be converted into bio-energy resources like biomass-biogas, bioelectricity, bioethanol, and biohydrogen. Together with the advancement in the processing of sago starch, sago waste from bark, pulp, fiber, or hampas is transformed into different products, e.g., plywood and particle board, sago craft from sago bark and fiber; thus, sago waste or sago hampas is a prospective bioenergy commodity. In conclusion, sago provides advantages beyond food diversity, such as lowering household food insecurity and promoting sago's use for biomass and bioenergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the fact that impregnation with fire retardant usually reduces the strength of the produced particleboards, this research was carried out to investigate whether it is possible to use phenol–formaldehyde (PF) resin modified using various amounts (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) of polymeric 4,4′-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI) for this purpose. The need to optimize the addition of pMDI is particularly important due to health and environmental aspects and high price. Furthermore, the curing process of hybrid resins is still not fully explained, especially in the case of small loadings. Manufactured particleboards differed in the share of impregnated particles (50% and 100%). The mixture of potassium carbonate and urea was used as the impregnating solution. Based on the outcomes of hybrid resins properties, it was found that the addition of pMDI leads to the increase in solid content, pH, and viscosity of the mixtures, to the improvement in resin reactivity determined using differential scanning calorimetry and to the decrease in thermal stability in the cured state evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis. Moreover, particleboard property results have shown that using impregnated particles (both 50% and 100%) decreased the strength of manufactured boards bonded using neat PF resin. However, the introduction of pMDI allowed us to compensate for the negative impact of fire-retardant-treated wood and it was found that the optimal loading of pMDI for the board containing 50% of impregnated particles is 5% and for board made entirely of treated wood it is 10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Low-Carbon Materials & Green Construction is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The following research aims to investigate selected properties of three-layer plywood, manufactured using dust from the milling of three-layer particleboard as a filler in the bonding mass. Four types of fillers were considered in the study: commercial rye flour, wood dust naturally occurring in the composition of particles used industrially for particleboard production, wood dust from the first batch of shredded particleboard, and dust from the second round of milled particleboard. The highest modulus of elasticity (MOE) values were observed for the reference samples. Notably, in the samples containing filler sourced from the secondary milling of particleboard, the MOE exhibited an upward trend in conjunction with increasing filler content. The modulus of rupture (MOR) decreased with an elevated degree of filler milling from 73.1 N mm−2 for the native filler, through to 68.9 N mm−2 for the filler after 1st milling, and to 54.5 N mm−2 for the filler after 2nd milling (with 10 parts per weight (pbw) of filler used as an reference), though it increased slightly as the filler content increased. The most favorable outcomes in shear strength were achieved in samples containing filler material from the initial milling of particleboard. The thickness swelling peaked in variants utilizing filler material from both the initial and secondary milling of particleboards (20.1% and 16.6% after 24 h of soaking for samples with 10 pbw filler after the 1st and 2nd milling, respectively, compared to 13.0% for the reference samples). Water absorption testing exhibited a more pronounced response in the newly introduced variants, although the samples containing filler from the initial and secondary milling processes eventually yielded results akin to the reference sample, with naturally occurring dust displaying higher water absorption values. The highest density values (about 1224 kg m−3) were observed in the reference samples. A similar density profile was recorded for samples with five parts of wood flour as filler, although the density of the bonding line was slightly lower in these instances (1130 kg m−3). This research confirms the feasibility of applying the aforementioned dust as an alternative to conventional fillers in plywood technology. It also raises the question of how to effectively remove glue residues from wood-based composite dust, which would enhance their absorption properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle boards are manufactured through a hot pressing process using wood materials (natural polymer materials) and adhesive, which find common usage in indoor decorative finishing materials. Flame-retardant particleboard, crucial for fire safety in such applications, undergoes performance analysis that includes assessing temperature distribution across its facing surface and temperature increase on the backside surface during facade combustion, yielding critical insights into fire scenario development. In this study, a compact flame spread apparatus is utilized to examine the flame retardancy and combustion behavior of particle boards, with a specific emphasis on the application of cost-effective flame retardants, encompassing aluminum hypophosphite (ALHP), an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) comprising ammonium polyphosphate (APP), melamine (MEL), and Dipentaerythritol (DPE), alongside magnesium hydroxide (MDH), and their associated combustion characteristics. The D300°C values, representing the vertical distance from the ignition point (IP) to P300°C (the temperature point at 300 °C farthest from IP), are measured using a compact temperature distribution measurement platform. For MDH/PB, APP + MEL + DPE/PB, and ALHP/PB samples, the respective D300°C values of 145.79 mm, 117.81 mm, and 118.57 mm indicate reductions of 11.11%, 28.17%, and 27.71%, compared to the untreated sample's value of 164.02 mm. The particle boards treated with ALHP, IFR, and MDH demonstrated distinct flame-retardant mechanisms. MDH/PB relied on the thermal decomposition of MDH to produce MgO and H2O for flame retardancy, while APP + MEL + DPE/PB achieved flame retardancy through a cross-linked structure with char expansion, polyphosphate, and pyrophosphate during combustion. On the other hand, ALHP/PB attained flame retardancy by reacting with wood materials and adhesives, forming a stable condensed P-N-C structure. This study serves as a performance reference for the production of cost-effective flame-resistant particleboards and offers a practical method for assessing its fire-resistant properties when used as a decorative finishing material on facades in real fire situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particleboards with different combinations of the adhesive material imidazole, citric acid, and sorbitol were produced. Softwood sawdust from a Swedish sawmill was mixed with an aqueous solution of the chemicals and then dried to 0% moisture content prior to pressing. The boards were pressed to a target density of 700 kg m−3 at either 200 °C or 220 °C for 10 min. The hygroscopic and mechanical properties of the boards were clearly better at 220 °C than 200 °C for all used chemical combinations. A combination of imidazole (14.4 wt%) and citric acid (11.3 wt%) led to the best results, where the thickness swelling after 24 h of water immersion was 6.3% and the internal bonding strength was 0.57 MPa. The modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity were 3.3 MPa and 1.1 GPa, respectively. Cyclic accelerated weathering showed exceptional stability with a thickness change after boiling and drying of only 2.1% compared to the initial dry thickness. This study indicates that the presence of imidazole leads to greatly improved hygroscopic properties and good internal bonding strength when used in particleboards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a comprehensive analysis of electron density measurements in the solar wind using quasi-thermal noise (QTN) spectroscopy applied to data from the first 15 encounters of the Parker Solar Probe mission (2018 November–2023 March). Our methodology involves the identification of the plasma line frequency and the calculation of plasma density based on in situ measurements. By analyzing over 2.1 million data points, we derive a power-law model for electron density as a function of radial distance from the Sun in the range of 13 to 50 R ☉: n e(r) = (343,466 ± 19921) × r (−1.87±0.11). This model provides improved estimates for localizing interplanetary solar radio bursts. Moreover, obtained electron densities can be used for calibrating particle instruments on board the Parker Solar Probe. We discuss its limitations and potential for further refinement with additional Parker Solar Probe encounters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the parts of furniture made of medium density fiberboards (MDF) require at least one hole to be assembled. The drilling technological parameters influence the quality of holes. Factors such as tip angle of the drill bit, feed rate, type and diameter of the drill bit, and spindle rotational speed could affect the drilling process. Therefore, the right choosing of drilling parameters is a mandatory condition to improve the drilling efficiency that is expressed through tool durability, cost, and quality of the drilling. Thus, in this work, we are proposed an approach that consists in combining two modelling techniques, which were successfully applied in various fields, namely artificial neural network (ANN) and response surface methodology (RSM), to analyze and optimize the drilling process of MDF boards. Four artificial neural network models with a reasonable accuracy were developed to predict the analyzed responses, namely delamination factor at inlet, delamination factor at outlet, thrust force, and drilling torque. These models were used to complete the experimental design that was requested by the RSM. The optimum values of the selected factors and their influence on the drilling process of the MDF boards were revealed. A part of optimum combinations among analyzed factors could be used both during the drilling of the MDF boards and prelaminated wood particleboards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method to more easily separate vascular bundles and parenchyma was investigated for the purpose of proposing a sustainable and advanced utilization of oil palm trunk (OPT). In addition, particleboard made from vascular bundles was produced as one of the effective ways to utilize the obtained vascular bundles. The following results were obtained. A Zephyr rolling equipment was used for separation, and it was found that the vascular bundles could be easily separated with the veneer in a dry state. SEM observations showed that the vascular bundles could be separated while maintaining the tissue structure. However, some parenchyma remained on the surface of the vascular bundles. The presence of starch was also confirmed within the parenchyma. Particleboard was produced using the separated vascular bundles. The MOR and MOE of the three-layered particleboards with long vascular bundles obtained by Zephyr treatment were about 74.2 MPa and 7.3 GPa, respectively, which are much higher than those of previous wood materials made from OPTs. These results may be the result of extracting the potential of vascular bundles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce dependence on wood and deforestation, alternative materials have been considered. This research evaluated particleboards panels of Pinus elliotti mixed with residues of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in flakes with 50% of each material, glued with 10% of castor oil-based polyurethane resin (PUR). The temperature during board production was varied to evaluate its influence on the physical and mechanical properties of the boards. The study concludes that the increase in temperature did not result in a significant improvement in the particleboard properties, but their results showed application potential according to the normative standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particleboards, which are widely used in various fields, are commonly coated with solid and liquid surface coating materials to achieve better physical, mechanical, and aesthetic results. This study produced lowdensity particleboards from waste wood bark using different adhesive mixtures and densities. These particleboards were then coated with three types of varnish: water-based (Aq), polyurethane-based (Pu), and oil/wax-based (Ow). The color, gloss, and surface roughness values of the coated boards were determined to investigate the effect of varnish type, total adhesive usage, and density on these properties. In the board groups produced with the same glue ratio and density, the roughness values obtained with Ow varnish application were mostly higher compared to Aq and Pu. In the Ow varnish type, the roughness (Rmax) decreased linearly with increasing total adhesive amount in particleboards produced at low density (320 kg/m³). The highest color change (ΔE*) values for all variations were obtained in the Ow varnish type, while the highest gloss values were achieved at 85° and in the B2 (4%-420 kg/m³) board group. It was concluded that higher density should be preferred for smoother and glossier surfaces, which are important in terms of surface properties and aesthetics. Overall, these findings highlight the preference for higher density to achieve smoother and glossier surfaces in areas where surface properties and aesthetics are significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial considers hindrances that keep me from making sure that my used wooden furniture items don't get thrown out at a point where their wooden content still has decades or hundreds of years of potential service left in them. I am a careless and lazy person, and I am not always appreciating the different ways in which other people might be ready to appreciate and utilize my cast-off items. Continued usage of a wooden item can be the ultimate in minimizing environmental impacts. I might envision that the only usage of an old, scuffed wooden dining room set is full restoration. But my niece might need it for her college apartment. A friend of a friend might need it for an informal basement art studio. Alternatively, if the set is really well beyond use in its original form, it could be converted into wood particles for particleboard or incinerated to generate renewable energy. Whether I use eBay, word of mouth, my church's electronic bulletin board, or just put the item out by the curb on a sunny day, a wooden item of furniture has the potential to continue to provide valuable service for much longer than I might first imagine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space domain systems must go through different types of ground testing. For system-level black-box functional testing, ground support equipment is built ad hoc, customized for each different mission. Building any of this specific equipment involves considerable engineering effort that can be diluted using techniques that allow reusing configurations of the test setup environment without recodification. These techniques can be merged into a hierarchical checking process based on independent filters to compare the received outputs with the expected ones. The hierarchical checking allows the separate definition of several layers or levels of validation, from the lowest protocol packet levels to the logical abstractions at the highest application level. This paper introduces a solution based on Model-Driven Engineering for Low-Code Ground Support Equipment. It uses the abovementioned mechanisms to reduce the effort to develop and customize ground support systems for different missions. This solution is integrated within an environment called MASSIVA, which allows the automatic configuration and definition of system-level test procedures. This environment has been used in the software verification and validation process of the Instrument Control Unit of the Energetic Particle Detector on board Solar Orbiter. • Low-Code solution for Ground Support Equipment development. • Model-Driven Engineering support for black-box system-level test definition. • Automatic checking process based on hierarchical definition of independent filters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric ice-nucleating particle (INP) concentration data from the free troposphere are sparse but urgently needed to understand vertical transport processes of INPs and their influence on cloud formation and properties. Here, we introduce the new High-volume flow aERosol particle filter sAmpler (HERA) which was specially developed for installation on research aircraft and subsequent offline INP analysis. HERA is a modular system consisting of a sampling unit and a powerful pump unit, and it has several features which were integrated specifically for INP sampling. Firstly, the pump unit enables sampling at flow rates exceeding 100 L min -1 , which is well above typical flow rates of aircraft INP sampling systems described in the literature (∼ 10 L min -1). Consequently, required sampling times to capture rare, high-temperature INPs (≥ - 15 ∘ C) are reduced in comparison to other systems, and potential source regions of INPs can be confined more precisely. Secondly, the sampling unit is designed as a seven-way valve, enabling switching between six filter holders and a bypass with one filter being sampled at a time. In contrast to other aircraft INP sampling systems, the valve position is remote-controlled via software so that manual filter changes during flight are eliminated and the potential for sample contamination is decreased. This design is compatible with a high degree of automation, i.e., triggering filter changes depending on parameters like flight altitude, geographical location, temperature, or time. In addition to presenting the design and principle of operation of HERA, this paper describes laboratory characterization experiments with size-selected test substances, i.e., SNOMAX® and Arizona Test Dust. The particles were sampled on filters with HERA, varying either particle diameter (300 to 800 nm) or flow rate (10 to 100 L min -1) between experiments. The subsequent offline INP analysis showed good agreement with literature data and comparable sampling efficiencies for all investigated particle sizes and flow rates. Furthermore, the collection efficiency of atmospheric INPs in HERA was compared to a straightforward filter sampler and good agreement was found. Finally, results from the first campaign of HERA on the High Altitude and LOng range research aircraft (HALO) demonstrate the functionality of the new system in the context of aircraft application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the particleboard industry cannot meet the market's demand. Therefore, filler materials have started to be used both to conserve raw materials and to enable the use of wood-based boards in different areas. This study investigates the effects of incorporating different ratios of activated carbon (0%, 1.5%, 4.5%, 7.5%) on the properties of particleboards. The physical properties were examined, including density, moisture content, thickness swelling, and water absorption. The results reveal that the density increased with increasing activated carbon content while the moisture content decreased, indicating improved dimensional stability and water resistance. Additionally, the color properties were influenced by activated carbon, leading to a darker appearance with decreased lightness and yellow-blue components. The mechanical properties, such as internal bond strength, modulus of rupture, and modulus of elasticity, showed significant enhancements with the addition of activated carbon, indicating improved bonding and increased strength. Moreover, the thermal conductivity decreased with increasing activated carbon content and improved insulation performance. Scanning electron microscope analysis confirmed the uniform distribution of activated carbon within the particleboard matrix, without agglomeration, positively impacting the mechanical performance. According to the thermogravimetric analysis results, the addition of activated carbon led to a decrease of up to 6.15% in mass loss compared to the control group. The incorporation of activated carbon at a ratio of 4.5% in particleboards confers notable enhancement to their physical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics. These findings contribute to understanding the potential benefits and considerations of using activated carbon as an additive in particleboard production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]