Feasibility of incorporating waste grass clippings (Lolium perenne L.) in particleboard composites.

This study investigated some of the important physical (thickness swelling) and mechanical (modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and internal bond) properties of single-layer particleboard panels made from eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn.), waste of grass clippings (Lolium perenne L.) and combinations of the two. The chemical properties (pH, holocelluse and alpha cellulose contents, and water, alcohol-benzene and 1% sodium hydroxide solubilities) of the raw materials were also determined. Panels with a 6:94 ratio of grass-to-eucalyptus particles had the required mechanical properties for interior fitments including furniture and general uses. Boards manufactured with 100% grass clippings exhibited the lowest quality. The overall panel properties improved with a lower percentage of grass clippings added. Based on initial results, it also appears that grass should compose no more than 13% to achieve acceptable panel properties for interior fitments and general uses.

The potential for using the needle litter of Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) as a raw material for particleboard manufacturing.

Particleboard panels were made from various wood particle/needle litter of Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) mixtures bonded with urea formaldehyde resin. Litter was characterized by having higher solubility's in alcohol-benzene, with diluting alkali and hot water, and resulted in lower pH values than those of wood particles. The mechanical properties (modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and internal bond strength) of boards containing up to 6.25% litter were lower than those of panels made from wood particles. However, needle litter usage improved the physical property (thickness swelling) and decay resistance of the panels, significantly. Panels consist of 6.25% and 12.50% needle litter met the minimum EN standard requirements of mechanical properties for general-purposes. Particleboards contain more than 50% needle litter had the required level of thickness swelling for 24 h immersion.

Evaluation of the mechanical, physical properties and decay resistance of particleboard made from particles impregnated with Pinus brutia bark extractives.

The mechanical, physical properties and decay resistances of particleboard made from particles impregnated with Pinus brutia bark extractives were examined. Properties included were modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, internal bond, thickness swelling, and weight loss according to European standards. The results showed that particleboards made from particles impregnated with bark extractives had significantly lower mechanical values than those made from unimpregnated particles. Impregnating wood particles with bark extractives improved the decay resistance and thickness swelling of particleboard. Increasing concentration of the extractives decreased the mechanical properties and improved the thickness swelling and decay resistance of the panels. Particleboards made from 1% P. brutia bark extractives met the specifications for modulus of rupture and internal bond strength for general purposes.