STORAGE EFFECTS OF RUBBERWOOD ON CEMENTBONDED PARTICLEBOARD

Abstract

Freshly felled rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis), with and without bark, was stored for various periods, and examined for their carbohydrates content and cement bonding properties. After four weeks of natural storage without bark, sugar and starch content fell below 0.5 and 7.0% respectively. A longer period up to 12 weeks was required for a similar effect when stored with bark. Boards from fresh rubberwood failed to set completely. The optimum strength of cement-bonded particleboard (CBP) produced from rubberwood stored without bark was obtained between four to eight weeks of storage while the other condition required about 12 weeks. Hence, debarking may not be necessary in large commercial production when the rubberwood is to be used after long periods of storage.