Particleboard Manufactured with Variation of Press Time

This research aimed to produce and determine physical and mechanical properties of three-layered particleboard produced with Pinussp. wood particlesand three different times of press, i.e., 3, 5 and 7 minutes. Recommendations of the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 14810 [1] were adopted to fundament physical and mechanical tests. The properties evaluated were the modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) in static bending; internal bond; thickness swelling; water absorption; moisture content and apparent density.The mean values showed, for the physical properties, that all the panels manufactured achievedthe requirements of theBrazilian standard, and for mechanical properties, only the panelsmanufacturedwith 7minutesofpressing timemet therequirements. From the Tukey test results, timesof the pressingcycleinfluencedsignificantlyin allinvestigatedphysical and mechanicalproperties, showed better results the panels madewithseven minutesof the pressingcycle, implyingthat the time ofseven minutesof the pressingcycle is thebest among theinvestigatedperiodsin the manufactureofparticleboard.