Particleboard production using mixtures of softwood and hardwood residues

A method to produce particleboard from hardwood residue has been investigated at RMIT University, Australia. This work has shown that hardwood residue particleboard made in laboratory has acceptable mechanical properties and density profiles in accordance to the Australian Standards. However, this board product requires further optimization of the resin consumption, board density and pressing time to be commercially accepted. Mixes of softwood and hardwood residues were explored here to further optimize the processing and board parameters. The theory of experimental design has been applied to develop the experimental program consisting of eight variables. A series of screening tests were carried out to obtain the most significance parameters for properties of particleboard made of mixes of hardwood and softwood residue. Results of the screening tests and the analysis are presented in this paper.