Conventional low-density particleboards produced from Mauritia flexuosa and Eucalyptus spp. wood

Abstract

The use of alternative raw materials to produce particleboards is an interesting strategy that adds value to lignocellulosic biomass and diversifies the forest products industry. This article reports evaluation of the potential of using Mauritia flexuosa wood along with Eucalyptus spp. wood for the production of particleboards. The basic density and chemical composition of the raw materials were evaluated before producing the particleboards. The boards were produced using particles of Eucalyptus spp. and Mauritia flexuosa in mass proportions of 100/0%, 90/10%, 80/20%, 70/30%, and 60/40%. The quality of the particleboards was evaluated by water absorption, thickness swelling, internal bonding, and static bending tests. The presence of Mauritia flexuosa particles reduced dimensional stability since the compression ratio increased due to the lower density of the Mauritia flexuosa particles. The substitution of 1% Mauritia flexuosa particles caused reductions of 10.49 MPa in the modulus of elasticity, 0.09 MPa in the modulus of rupture, and 0.01 MPa in internal bonding. The results demonstrated that it was feasible to replace up to 17.5% of Eucalyptus spp. wood with Mauritia flexuosa particles to have the appropriate physical and mechanical properties of particleboards that meet the marketing standards.