According to the FAO, about 30% of forest material is used as timber while the remaining becomes waste. Such amount of residues leads to production low yields, resulting in high production costs and low incomes. The purpose of this study was to develop particleboard self-bonded using Gmelina wood residues. The influence of particle size (not sieving, #30, #40 y #50), processing temperature (200, 220, 240, 260 �C) and moisture content (7% y >50%) on the modulus of rupture of the developed materials were studied. Gmelina samples were supplied by Forestales para Siempre SAS (Urab�-Antioquia, Colombia). The particleboards were produced by thermal-compression at 2000 psi during 7 min. The modulus of rupture was evaluated by three-point bending test according to ASTM D1037. The results showed that particle size is not an influential parameter in the mechanical performance of particleboards; however, when two different particle sizes are used in inner and outer layer, a positive effect is observed. In the case of temperature and moisture, a direct relationship with the module was observed. Temperature showed to be the most important variable; but it is worth noting that as temperature increases, materials become brittle and the color gets darker. High moisture values proved to be necessary in order to release the water steam produced during thermal-compression, thus preventing its accumulation within the material. These results showed that residues Gmelina wood is good starting material for the production of self-bonded particleboard. Moisture level (> 50%) and particle size (not sieving) of Gmelina wood residues showed not to affect the behavior of material; therefore they do not require additional processing to prepare the particleboard.

Development of particleboard self-bonded from Gmelina wood residues

247th National Meeting (2014)

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