PROPERTIES OF PARTICLEBOARD MADE FROM CHILI PEPPER STALKS

Abstract

OH YS & YOO JY. 2011. Properties of particleboard made from chili pepper stalks. Chili pepper stalks were
used as raw material for particleboard. Urea–formaldehyde (UF) resin was synthesised in the laboratory with
resin solids at 50% content as a particleboard binder. The laboratory particleboards were made using chili
pepper stalks and tropical hardwoods based on 0, 23, 48, 73 and 100% oven-dry weight of chili pepper stalks
with UF resin. The physical properties of the particleboards were tested according to the ASTM procedure,
D 1037-99. Internal bond and bending strength (modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture) of the
particleboards decreased gradually with increasing chili pepper stalk content. However, all board types made
in this study showed good physical and mechanical properties. Overall, chili pepper stalk can be used as a
raw material for particleboard manufacture.