Investigation of Factors Affecting the Production and Properties of Maize Cob-Particleboards
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Waste and biomass valorization
Abstract
The aim of this research was investigating the
factors that affect the properties and production of particle-
boards from maize cobs. The particleboards were produced
at three different levels of resin content (125, 188, and 250 g)
while using particles in the size ranges of 1.13 to\3.35 mm
and 3.35–8 mm. Compaction ratio, pressing pressure, and
mass of maize cob particles were production variables which
were considered during the experiment. The maize cob
particleboards were pressed under a pressure of 13 MPa and
were left to cure for 17 h while holding at a pressure of
10 MPa. Properties of maize cob particleboards such as
density, modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity
(MOE), water absorption, thickness swelling and linear
expansion were investigated. The densities of maize cob
particleboards ranged from 386 ± 49.96 to 723 ± 34.65
kg/m3
, which were comparable to the particleboard densities
of 590 and 800 kg/m3 of wood product industry. Maize cob
particleboards produced using particles of size 3.35–8 mm
presented a higher density as compared to other maize cob
particleboards. The modulus of elasticity for maize cob
particleboards was in the range 5.89 ± 6.00 to 61.82 ±
10.09 MPa, while the modulus of rupture ranged from
0.32 ± 0.14 to 1.50 ± 0.16 MPa, thus maize cob particle-
boards could be used as ceiling boards and wall claddings.
Particleboards produced from particles of size in the range
1.13–8 mm presented better mechanical properties (MOE
and MOR) as compared to other particleboards. The maize
particleboards showed poor properties to moisture and thus
applicable to interior applications. From ANOVA analysis,
particle size and resin content significantly affected
(p B 0.01) the properties of maize cob particleboards.
Description
Keywords
Maize cob particleboard, Particle size Resin content, Maize cob particleboard properties
Citation
Sekaluvu, L., Tumutegyereize, P., & Kiggundu, N. (2014). Investigation of factors affecting the production and properties of maize cob-particleboards. Waste and biomass valorization, 5, 27-32.DOI 10.1007/s12649-013-9228-9