The potential of utilizing hemp-core fibers in particleboard industry

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

Authors

1 Assistant Prof., Wood and Forest Products Division, Research institute of forests and rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

2 M.Sc. Graduate, Wood and paper science engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Tehran University, Iran

3 Assistant Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

4 Assistant Prof., Wood and Forest Products Science Research Division, Research institute of forests and rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Since, it is possible to use various types of lignocellulosic materials in the production of particleboard, the use of agricultural residues can be considered as a solution to meet part of the raw materials needs of this industry. At the same time, it brings other benefits such as reducing pressure on forest resources, reducing environmental pollution, creating added value and jobs, etc. The hemp plant has attracted the attention of many researchers in the world due to its advantages such as short growing season, low ecological requirements and long fibers. Therefore, in recent years, much research on the use of hemp-core fibers and its husks in the production of wood composite products has been conducted or in progress. This research was conducted to study the possibility of producing a particleboard composite from hemp-core fibers in combination with sugarcane bagasse fibers and also to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of the produced particleboard.
Materials and Methods: In this study, hemp (Hibiscus cannabinus) and sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum officinarum) plants were obtained from Ahvaz Sugarcane Research Institute and Neopan Karun company, respectively. The debarked hemp fibers were first chipped and then turned into flakes that can be used for the production of particleboard. The other steps of producing particleboard were included screening, drying, gluing, forming and pressing. Sample boards were made from lignocellulosic residues were subjected to two pressing times of 4 and 5 minutes with two pressing temperatures of 170 and 180c and four compositions of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75%, kenaf core fibers with bagasse fibers. Other factors, such as resin consumption (10% based on dry material of the board) and press pressure (25 kg/cm2), were considered as fixed factors. A total of 48 laboratory boards with three replications were produced for each treatment. Physical tests included measurement of water absorption and thickness shrinkage after 2 and 24 hours of immersion in water. Bending strength, modulus of elasticity and internal bonding were also evaluated. The results were analyzed based on a complete randomized design within the framework of a factorial experiment by SPSS software. Duncan's multiple range test was used to compare mean values.
 Results: The results showed that the bending strength improved with increasing temperature and pressing time. Moreover, increasing the amount of hemp fiber in the composition of the raw material improved the bending strength, modulus of elasticity and internal bonding of the boards. The amount of water absorption and the increase in the length of the thickness of 2 and 24 hours of the boards also decreased with the increase of the pressing temperature, pressing time and the amount of hemp in the composition of the raw material.
Conclusion: In general, it is concluded that hemp-core fibers can be used in combination with bagasse fibers to make particleboards with acceptable physical and mechanical properties. Also, the use of bagasse fibers in small quantity in the composition of raw materials make it possible to obtain boards of superior quality. However, a higher amount leads to a decrease in the physical and mechanical properties of the boards. Therefore, hemp-core lignocellulosic fibers in combination with bagasse fibers can be used as suitable raw materials in the particleboard industry.

Keywords


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