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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]

The paper considers technologies for the synthesis of amino-formaldehyde resins of KF-MT-NP and AFK-10 grades obtained using the peptization procedure, which could result in the complete elimination of vacuum drying and contribute to the ecologization of the process of synthetic resins production. A modifying additive, which is an inorganic polymer (IP) capable of efficient binding of free formaldehyde in the resin and stabilizing its properties by extending its viability to 6–7 months, is used as a peptizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass fiber‐reinforced polymer (GFRP), extensively employed in diverse industries, generates considerable waste, especially from decommissioned wind turbine blades. Our research group has developed a new method of mechanical recovery for GFRP from wind turbine blades. In this study, waste GFRP was processed into a mixed particle size of 0.9–6 mm using a crusher and a screening machine, and then added as reinforcement materials to particleboards. The effects of different levels of four factors (GFRP addition, hot pressing temperature, hot pressing time, and binder dosage) on the properties of GFRP particleboards were evaluated by orthogonal experiments. The study results showed that the particleboards with 30 wt% GFRP improved modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and internal bonding strength (IB) by 74.94%, 42.28%, and 92.05%, respectively, compared to pure poplar particleboards. Moreover, GFRP particleboards demonstrated better water resistance and dimensional stability than commercial particleboards and excelled in thermal stability. Recycling GFRP waste from decommissioned wind turbine blades and incorporating it into particleboard production can reduce environmental pollution, increase the resource recovery utilization rate, and contribute to sustainable manufacturing practices. Highlights: Low‐cost and efficient methods of recycling wind turbine blades were proposed.Recycled GFRP from wind turbine blades can be used as reinforcement for particleboard.The prepared particleboards have excellent physical and mechanical properties and are thermally stable.Determination of the optimal glass fiber‐reinforced polymer addition level in particleboard at 30 wt%. [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]

The pyrolysis by‐products of five common wood‐based construction materials (low‐density wood fiberboard, oriented strand board, pine, particle board, and plywood) were studied using pyrolysis‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Samples of wood‐based materials were pyrolyzed under helium from 300 to 800°C to further understand the production of compounds that may become airborne and available for respiratory and dermal exposure. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p‐xylene, styrene, and naphthalene were specifically targeted since these compounds are common by‐products of pyrolysis. These compounds have been measured in previous live fire scenarios and are associated with human health concerns. The generated pyrolysates were separated and identified with a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry instrument. The results from total ion chromatograms and selected ion monitoring chromatograms were analyzed to compare the abundance of chemicals of interest generated during pyrolysis. Oriented strand board and plywood generated the greatest total concentration of the targeted volatile organic compounds. Plywood and particle boards generated the largest variety in results. Samples from solid pine boards generated the smallest number of volatile compounds, followed by low‐density wood fiberboard that is manufactured with wood fibers, starch, and wax. Notably, pyrolysis by‐products are not the sole compounds generated during the combustion of biomass and these products evolve when they are exposed to the conditions of combustion. Our future work plans to study the combustion by‐products of these materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to enhance the physical properties and the weak heat transmission of the core layer, which are the weak points of particleboard produced using melamine-impregnated paper waste (MIPW) as an adhesive. Alkyl-ketene dimer (AKD) and paraffin were used as water-repellent chemicals. MIPW was used as an adhesive, and no additional resin was used. As a result of this study, the samples' physical properties improved with AKD and paraffin's existence. Moreover, it has been approved that AKD is more effective than paraffin in improving the physical properties of the particleboard because AKD improves ester bonding with hydroxyl groups of cellulose fibers. The usage of water repellents resulted in the improvement of internal bond (IB) properties. It was determined that the type and amount of water-repellent chemicals significantly affected the mechanical and physical properties and formaldehyde content of the produced particleboards, except for bending properties. Just the chemical type was found to be significantly effective on bending strength (BS) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) properties. Overall, the study findings suggested that AKD might be successfully utilized as a water-repellent chemical in particleboard manufacturing, while MIPWs used as an adhesive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citric acid can be used as a bio-based binding agent in composites made from lignocellulosic material due to its crosslinking ability with hydroxyl groups via ester formation. Even though plenty of research has investigated diverse manufacturing conditions, with a focus on citric acid content and pressing temperature, an apparent knowledge gap persists regarding their effect on the properties of particleboards made from softwood sawdust. Furthermore, the optimal temperature for particleboards crafted from mostly non-wood lignocellulosic materials was found to be 180–200°C which is lower than that observed for softwood material in a prior study. This study aimed to systematically examine the effects of citric acid content and pressing temperature on particleboards derived from softwood sawdust. Results highlighted a positive correlation of both citric acid content and pressing temperature with mechanical and hygroscopic properties of the particleboards, the best results being achieved at 20 wt% citric acid and 220°C, exhibiting a thickness swelling of 9%, internal bonding strength of 0.77 MPa and a modulus of rupture of 4.3 MPa. This study served as a foundational framework for future investigations into the addition of other chemicals, offering a comprehensive understanding of their interactions with citric acid in particleboard manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is currently known that in certain circumstances pre-rounding of cutting blades can significantly increase tool life. Despite many data on the beneficial effect of drag-finishing on the durability of metalworking tools, it is not entirely clear whether similar benefits appear when machining wood-based panels. The results of some pilot study are quite promising but the real impact of cutting blades pre-rounding (it is about blades made of various standard cemented carbides), on tool life in particleboard milling are very rarely studied. The study aims to fill this gap in the knowledge system. The experimental research was carried out using a CNC milling machine equipped with a single-blade milling head with replaceable blades. It turned out that the positive effect of the drag-finishing of cutting blades on tool life in particleboard machining depends on the structure and hardness of carbide. A significant extension of the tool life (about 50%) was observed only in the case of particularly hard carbide (2240 HV10). There was no significant advantage for the softer type of carbide (1800 HV10). [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]

Lignin, lignosulfonate, and synthesized phosphorylated lignosulfonate were introduced as green fillers in citric acid-sucrose adhesives for bonding particleboard fabricated from areca leaf sheath (ALS). The characteristics of particleboards were compared to that of ultralow emitting formaldehyde (ULEF-UF). The fillers derived from Eucalyptus spp. kraft-lignin were added for flame retardancy enhancement. 10% of each lignin and modified lignin was added into the ULEF-UF and citric acid-sucrose bonded particleboards. Analyses applied to particleboards included thermal characteristics, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), morphological properties, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), as well as physical, mechanical, and fire resistance characteristics of the laboratory-fabricated particleboards. Lignin and modified lignin resulted in improved thermal stability of the composites bonded with ULEF-UF while the improvement in the particleboard bonded with citric acid-sucrose was not significant. The introduction of filler exerted a higher influence on the UF-bonded particleboards compared to composites fabricated with citric acid-sucrose. Generally, the presence of lignin, lignosulfonate, and phosphorylated lignosulfonate enhanced the mechanical strength of the ULEF-bonded particleboards, although their dimensional stability has deteriorated. Markedly, the use of lignin and lignosulfonate enhanced the fire resistance of the particleboards produced with lower observed weight loss. All laboratory particleboards exhibited satisfactory fire resistance, attaining a V-0 rating in according to the UL-94 standard. [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]

Copyright of Düzce University Journal of Forestry / Düzce Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Ormancılık Dergisi is the property of Duzce 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.)

Copyright of Düzce University Journal of Forestry / Düzce Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Ormancılık Dergisi is the property of Duzce 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.)

This study investigates the manufacture of lightweight single-layer particleboard (PB) made of the low-density wood species paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa) using high-frequency (HF) pressing technology. Paulownia round timber was chipped to particles with two different thickness levels (0.35 and 0.53 mm). The particles were classified into fraction B (> 0.5 ≤ 2.00 mm) and C (> 2 ≤ 4 mm) according to the mesh size of the sieve. Next to the particle size the influence of the board density (300 and 400 kg/m³) on the pressing process and the PB properties was analyzed. Using the HF press, PB were produced with a press speed of 6–9 s/mm. With increasing density, the values of the mechanical properties increased. PB made from larger particles showed higher modulus of rupture (MOR), the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and the internal bond strength (IB), but also more affinity to water absorption. PB with a density of 400 kg/m³ met the requirement for lightweight PB type LP2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under this study, the particle boards of lops and tops of poplar were prepared using urea formaldehyde resin with 110 °C pressing temperature. One set of particle boards was kept as control particle boards, and remaining boards were treated with five different combinations of fire retardant (FR) chemicals at 10% and 20% conc. by dipping method for 15 min and 30 min duration. The prepared control particle boards as well as FR treated boards were tested in accordance with IS 3087, IS 2380 and IS 5509 for their various properties, viz. modulus of rupture (MoR), modulus of elasticity (MoE), internal bond strength (IBS), time taken under rate of burning test (RBT), flammability test (FT) and flame penetration test (FPT). It was found that particle board treated at both concentration (10%, 20%) and both duration (15 min, 30 min) of dipping with all five compositions passed the mechanical test, viz. MoR, MoE and IBS whereas particle board treated at lower concentration (10%) and both duration (15 min, 30 min) of dipping with all five compositions do not pass the FR properties, viz. time taken under RBT, FT and FPT as per relevant IS specifications. The particle board treated at higher concentration (20%) and both duration (15 min, 30 min) of dipping with all five compositions passed the FR properties, viz. time taken under RBT, FT and FPT as per relevant IS specifications. However, at higher concentration (20%) and higher duration (30 min) of dipping the IBS reduces significantly but still all mechanical properties, viz. MoR, MoE and even IBS meet as per relevant IS specifications. [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]

Millions of used or worn-out tyres are disposed of by many countries annually. These tyres can be put to good use when recycled. Used tyres are among the most problematic and challenging sources of solid waste, especially in landfills. Therefore, the use of waste tyres for composite materials having desired performance properties can be used as a means of disposing of the tyres. Fibrous material-reinforced composites with enhanced physical and mechanical performance and incorporating sisal fibres were produced using waste tyre material, sisal, and polyester resin. The physical and mechanical properties of hybrid composite board panels, including flexural strength, compression strength, tensile strength, and water absorption, were determined according to ASTM Standards. The rubber tyre particles used in the study had a size of 1.00 mm, and the sisal used had an average length of 6mm. A systematic experimental design was formulated and worked accordingly in the fabrication of the composite. The hybrid composite produced has adequate mechanical properties to perform as a substitute for solid wood in several applications such as tabletops, general purpose, load-bearing boards, ceiling boards, furniture, door panels and partitioning boards. [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]

This study aimed to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of particleboards fabricated from Vernonia arborea Buch.-Ham and Eleocharis sp. fibers with PVAc adhesive based on the SNI 03-2105-2006. A two-factor factorial in completely randomized design was used with adhesive contents of 10% and 20% as the first, and ratios of V. arborea Buch.-Ham to Eleocharis sp. of 30/70, 50/50 and 70/30 as the second factor. The materials were V. arborea Buch.-Ham wood shaving (mesh size of 4), Eleocharis sp. (chop length of 1-2cm), and PVAc adhesive. The parameters were moisture content, density, water absorption, and thickness swelling for physical properties, and modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, internal bond strength, and screw holding strength for mechanical properties. However, both properties do not meet the SNI 03-2105-2006 (except for thickness swelling), allegedly caused by imprecise concentration and uneven distribution of PVAc. Additionally, 3h boiling of Eleocharis sp. is not able to remove its wax layer, causing less optimal adhesion between materials. Particleboard with 20% PVAc shows the best result. Principally, the adhesive concentration has significant effects, while the combination between V. arborea Buch.- Ham and Eleocharis sp. has insignificant effects on the physical and mechanical properties of particleboards. The evaluated composition is recommended for interior uses (partition walls, wall panels, information boards, and lightweight ceilings), with the addition of coating to improve durability and decorative value. As an additional material, Eleocharis sp. has a high sustainability value due to its availability in nature. [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]

The application of commonly used flame retardants in most cases causes reduction in strength characteristic of particleboard. Therefore, it was decided to carry out research aimed at determining possibility of using pMDI-reinforced PF adhesive to produce board with increased fire resistance. The effect of different shares of particles impregnated with a mixture of potassium carbonate and urea on the particleboard properties such as density, density profile, bending strength, modulus of elasticity, internal bond and internal bond after boiling was investigated. Presented work also determined the effect of fire retardant on the performance of particleboards after ageing test and their reaction to fire. Studies demonstrated that PF adhesive modified with 20% pMDI is suitable for gluing impregnated wood particles. Regardless of their share, resultant panels showed no changes in strength and density. In the case of boards consisting of impregnated particles in the amount of 75% and 100%, lower values of swelling were demonstrated. The boards were classified as load-bearing boards for use in humid conditions. Fire retarding efficiency was confirmed by lowered mass loss, prolonged time needed to reach maximal burning rate, decreased gross calorific value and reduced ignitability when exposed to both radiant heat source and small flame source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing harmful emissions from wooden materials is a major challenge for the wood industry. This is particularly important for the particleboard sector, where the use of formaldehyde-based resins can cause substantial pollutant emissions. With the aim of finding a greener alternative to commercial resins, the authors applied four types of liquefied lignocellulosic biomass and two types of nanocellulose-based formulations as a partial replacement of melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin for single-layer particleboard manufacturing and tested: formaldehyde content, formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions of the boards. The results revealed reduced formaldehyde content (up to −20%) and a slight decrease (max −13%) in formaldehyde emission in comparison to the panel produced with commercial resin when applying liquefied biomass in the adhesive mass. The values of VOC emissions in the particleboards developed with the alternative adhesive systems were substantially lower in comparison to the commercial panel, especially for γ-methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane nanocellulose, which allowed to achieve a reduction of about 67% of total VOC emissions. Overall, liquefied wood products obtained from softwood bark showed the best performance in decreasing the emissions. The results confirmed the research hypothesis that the use of liquefied lignocellulosic biomass and nanocellulose can reduce the emissions of harmful substances from the wood-based panels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dense lignocellulosic structure inherent in particleboard poses a challenge to its efficient energy utilization, necessitating pretreatment prior to use. This study is aimed at exploring an optimal ionic liquid pretreatment process to enhance the utilization efficiency of waste particleboard. Response surface methodology (RSM) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to investigate the effects of various parameters, including reaction time, temperature, and concentration of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide ([TBA] [OH]) solution on glucose production during the lignocellulosic hydrolysis process. Under the optimal pretreatment conditions (68 min, 65 °C, and 11.44% [TBA] [OH] concentration), the glucose yields from enzymatic hydrolysis of waste particleboard reached 324.48 mg/g, exhibiting a remarkable 34.75% increase compared to untreated samples. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed the disruptive effects of pretreatment on the lignocellulosic structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) demonstrated the removal of hemicellulose, as evidenced by the disappearance of the peak at 1740 cm−1. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated a 5.08% increase in the crystallization index of the pretreated biomass. Composition analysis further confirmed the partial removal of hemicellulose and lignin, resulting in the enhanced exposure of cellulose and subsequently increasing the accessibility of cellulase. This improvement ultimately led to an enhancement in enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In industrial applications, formaldehyde-based wood adhesives have been used extensively because of their low costs and high reactivity. However, their real-world applications are hindered by some main bottlenecks, especially the formaldehyde emission and usage of nonrenewable raw materials. The purpose of this study is the development of sustainable and formaldehyde-free wood adhesive formulation. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, starch and tannin-based wood adhesive were synthesized. Chemical structures and thermal properties of the prepared bio-based resin formulations were elucidated by using Fourier transform infrared and differential scanning calorimetry analysis, respectively. Laboratory scale particleboard production was carried out to determine the performance of the developed resin formulations. Obtained results were evaluated in dry medium (P2) according to European norms EN 312 (2010). Furthermore, the board formaldehyde content was determined by using the perforator method according to the European Norm EN 12460-5. Findings: The results show that the improved starch and tannin-based wood adhesives were successful in their adhesive capacity, and the formaldehyde content of the final product was obtained as low as 0.75 mg/100 g. This paper highlights that the presented adhesive formulations could be a potential eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to the formaldehyde-based wood adhesives for interior particleboard production. Research limitations/implications: Starch-based resins in the liquid form needed to be continuously mixed throughout their shelf life to prevent the starch from settling because it was not possible to dissolve the precipitated starch again after a while. For this reason, starch was given to the chips in powder form while preparing the particleboard. Practical implications: In conclusion, this study shows that the developed bio-based resin formulations have a high potential to be used for producing interior-grade particleboards instead of commercial formaldehyde-based wood adhesives because the obtained results generally satisfied the interior grade particleboard requirements according to European norms EN 312, P2 class (2010). In addition, it was determined that the produced boards had significantly low formaldehyde content. The low formaldehyde content of the final boards was not because of the resin but because of the natural structure of the wood raw material, press parameters and environmental factors. Social implications: The developed bio-based resin system made it possible to obtain boards with significantly low formaldehyde content compared to commercial resins. Originality/value: The developed bio-based resin formulation made it possible to produce laboratory-scale board prototypes at lower press factors and board densities compared to their counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel conductive composite material was developed using woven carbon nets. For this purpose, carbon nets with different mesh sizes of 25, 100, 225, and 400 mm2 were woven, using two different carbon yarns with widths of 2 and 0.5 mm. The woven carbon nets were used before and after the core layer formation during mat forming of the particleboard. It was found that the insertion of carbon nets into the panel structure not only transforms insulated particleboard into a highly conductive composite but also significantly improves the flexural properties of the composite. However, the internal bond strength and physical properties of the composites were negatively affected by the presence of carbon nets in the panel structure, although their values were still above the minimum requirements of the standard values. Increasing the mesh area of the carbon nets and using thinner carbon yarns to weave the nets had a negative effect on the electrical and mechanical properties of the composites. In addition, a demonstration object was made of conductive composites to integrate lighting and a smartphone charging port into the object and prove the applicability of the developed composites for the furniture industry. Highlights: Composites with carbon nets with smaller mesh area showed higher conductivity.The smaller the width of the carbon yarn, the higher the electrical resistance.The carbon net in the composites led to a decrease in internal bond strength.The carbon nets improved the flexural properties of the composites.Thickness swelling was significantly reduced by the use of carbon nets. [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]