The effect of some technological production variables on mechanical and physical properties of particleboard manufactured from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) stalks

Abstract

The current study aims to improve properties of particleboard manufactured from cotton (Gossium hirsutum) stalks glued with urea formaldehyde. To this aim, panel density (at three levels: 0,5; 0,65 and 0,8 g/cm3), press temperature (at two levels: 150 and 180 °C) and press closing speed (at two levels: 4 and 8mm/s) were selected as independent variables. The mechanical properties consist of modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and internal bonding and physical behaviors such as water absorption and thickness swelling of panels were determined. Results showed that with increasing the density of panels and press temperature modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and internal bonding of panels increased, while bending strengths of panels were differently affected by press closing speed
compared to the internal bonding, so that with increasing the press closing speed modulus of rupture increased, but internal bonding decreased. Moreover, increasing panel density and press temperature, water absorption and thickness swelling of panels decreased. The press closing speed affected the water
absorption and thickness swelling, insignificantly.