Technological properties of medium density particleboards produced with peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and Pinus oocarpa hulls

Abstract

Peanut crop waste (hulls), which have a chemical composition similar to wood, can be considered as a source of industrial raw material for the production of particleboard, provided that they are of similar quality to wooden panels. The present study aimed to produce and evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of medium density particleboards made of peanut hulls and pine wood particles bonded with urea-formaldehyde adhesive. The panels did not present satisfactory dimensional stability. The mechanical properties were significantly reduced with the addition of peanut hulls. In general, peanut hulls did not represent a good alternative to be used as a source of raw material for the production of particleboard. The inclusion of new parameters in the production process would be essential to improve the technological properties, such as: new particle geometries, use of paraffin, particle treatments and inclusion of denser species in the composition of the panels.