Properties of hardwood saw mill residue-based particleboards as affected by processing parameters

Hardwood saw mill residues have traditionally not been favoured by the particleboard industry (or indeed other forest product industries) owing to their high density and extractives content. However, re-growth and plantation of timber industry has been producing hardwood saw mill residues with lower extractive contents and lower densities in recent years. The work presented here deals with investigating the use of hardwood saw mill residue, which is currently treated as solid waste, in producing industry-grade particleboard. A crossed experimental design covering seven process parameters with two levels was performed to manufacture three-layer particleboards in the laboratory to investigate effects of processing parameters on physical and mechanical properties of final boards. Although, resin surface and pressing time are significantly influencing both mechanical and physical properties of hardwood particleboard, moisture core increases the thickness swelling and reduces the mean density. However, the need for higher moisture content and resin load compared to those of softwood particleboard need to be addressed further to achieve an economically feasible product.