NaOH Treatment Impact in the Dimensional Stability of Banana Pseudostem Particleboard Panels

Abstract

This work intends to verify the technical feasibility of NaOH treatment in particleboard manufacture made from banana pseudostem fibers. The particles were treated for a 24 hour period and subsequently washed with water to remove the product. The concentration used was NaOH at 0.5%. The adhesive used was urea - formaldehyde at 12%, the pressing cycle was 4 MPa, at 160 °C for 8 minutes. The water absorption after 2 hours immersion was 148.79% and 189.83% after 24 hours. Thickness swelling value after 2 hours was 54.96% and 74.05% after 24 hours. The results were above the literature values and the minimum values required by the CS 236-66 standard for swelling after 24 hours immersion.