THE PROPERTIES AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING WOOD PARTICLE BOARDS BASED ON COMBINED FILLER

Abstract

Introduction. Particleboards are widely used in the manufacturing industry. However, they are characterised by relatively low strength, due to the fact that wooden particles are weakened while chopping, and limited binder application doesn’t allow coating all the surfaces, thus fail in making flush contact between the particles. The strength of the boards in many ways depends on the mechanical strength characteristics of the main filler and the binding degree between the particles. It is very important to layer the particles with the minimum number of voids, which inevitably occur when the particles contact with the main filler. From a practical perspective it is important to evaluate the working properties of particleboards produced with a combined filler, i.e. a mix of coarse core particles and flax noil fibers. The work aims to research into the process of particleboard production with increased strength under bending by mixing flax processing wastes into the filler composition. Research tasks involve manufacturing of experimental samples of particleboards containing flax processing wastes; evaluation of the main physical and mathematical properties of particleboards by means of evaluation of their bend-strength, ultimate tensile strength transversely to the surface, expansion and water absorption resistance. Materials and methods. In order to experimentally validate the method of strength enhancement of particleboards due to addition of the flax processing wastes to the main filler we carried out a number of experiments meant to develop, manufacture and test physical and mechanical properties of particleboards containing a wooden filler composed of wooden chips mixed with glue and additive of flax processing wastes also mixed with glue. When shaping a sheet the chips are mixed with flax processing wastes at the ratio 75:25. Results. The quality experiments carried out validated the enhanced physical and mechanical properties of particleboards manufactured based on a combined filler as compared with conventionally produced sheets. Conclusion. The structure of a particleboard containing combined wooden filler features enhanced physical and mechanical properties due to lower intake characteristics and reinforcing property of flux-fiber contained in flax processing wastes.