SUITABILITY OF MEDIUM DENSITY PARTICLEBOARD FROM <em>ACACIA CATECHU</em> AND <em>MELIA DUBIA</em>

Abstract

Forest resources and tree stock in different countries decline rapidly due to the rising population. Rapid wood consumption created a major wood stock shortage. There is also an immense disparity between demand and supply. Particleboard provides the opportunity to use the greatest possible volume of forest resources and industrial waste. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the physical-mechanical properties of particleboards made from kattha extracted particles of Acacia catechu and Melia dubia. Boards were prepared from different ratio of particles of A. catechu and M. dubia i.e. 50:50 and 60:40 at two different pressures of 17.5 kg cm-2 and 21 kg cm-2 using 10 and 12% resin content. Their physical properties (moisture content, density, water absorption, general swelling and thickness swelling) and mechanical properties [modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and screw withdrawal strength] were evaluated. The best experimental results were obtained by mixing particles in the ratio of 50:50 with 12% resin content at 21 kg cm-2 specific pressure and 150 °C temperature for 15 minutes which meets the requirements of medium density particleboard as per Indian standard IS 3087:2005. The utilisation of kattha extracted particles of A. catechu and M. dubia in different combinations and parameters can be explored for the development of wood composites.