This paper discusses the results from the initiative that has been undertaken to utilize residues from oil palm re‐plantation, particularly the oil palm trunk (OPT) for the production of laminated veneer lumber (LVL). Efficient use of such residues is vital in order to minimize the environmental burdens associated with the disposal of the oil palm residues, thus ensuring the future growth of Malaysian palm oil industry. The bending and compression strength of the OPT LVL produced were accessed and compared with Malaysian oak (formerly known as rubberwood), timber species that is commonly used in the manufacture of furniture in Malaysia. Properties of OPT LVL were found almost comparable to solid Malaysian oak in terms of bending and compression strength. Combination of OPT veneers with several layers of Malaysian oak veneers during the process of LVL manufacturing has resulted in the improvement in bending and compression strength of the LVL as compared to those produced entirely from OPT. In addition, such practice also produced LVL board with far less variation in strength properties as compared to solid OPT properties. With further research and development embarked upon the gluability of the OPT materials, the overall performance of the OPT LVL could be improved for commercial utilization of OPT wastes in the near future. Development higher value‐added by‐products from oil palm industry residues, would benefit the industry through reduction of the overall environmental burden and would place it on a new environmentally sustainable platform.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of pre-treatments by using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and acetic acid on oil palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) fibres for the production of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF). The EFB fibres were treated with chemicals in the concentration range of 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8% prior to refining. Single-homogenous layer MDF with 12 mm thickness and density of 720 kg/m 3 was produced. Urea-Formaldehyde (UF) was applied at 10% loading (based on dry weight of dry fibres) as a binder. The physical properties (Water Absorption (WA) and Thickness Swelling (TS)) of the produced panels were tested according to European Standard, EN 622-5:2006. The results show that types of chemical used had greater effects than concentration on the dimensional stability of the MDF. EFB fibres treated with acetic acid produced MDF with better dimensional stability compared to the MDF NaOH treated fibres. High concentration of NaOH produced poor dimensional stability in the panels.
In this study, rice straw and bagasse are used as raw materials to produce binderless particleboard (BPB). This study aims to evaluate the mechanical and physical properties of BPB. We identify the raw material that would be better for the production of BPB from the viewpoint of their basic properties. The BPBs are made from rice straw, bagasse, and combinations of both in ratios of 50:50 and 40:60, respectively. The modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bonding (IB) strength, water absorption, and thickness swelling properties of the different BPBs are determined and compared. Results showed that all the properties are significantly influenced by the type of particles or particle combinations in the BPB. BPBs made from bagasse alone have the highest MOR, MOE, and IB mean values, whereas BPBs made from rice straw alone exhibit the lowest MOR, MOE, and IB values. Meanwhile, BPBs made from a combination of rice straw and bagasse at 40:60 ratio by weight have the second highest values for properties such as MOR, MOE, and IB, followed by BPBs made from a combination of rice straw and bagasse at 50:50 ratio by weight.
Non steady state diffusion flow is unstable movement of moisture in a material which changes with respect to time. Diffusion coefficient describes the rate at which water moves from the interior to the surface of the materials. Absorption and desorption are the variables that are used to determine the diffusion coefficient. Understanding of the water absorption and desorption is important since it affects the mechanical properties of materials such as strength and durability properties. Water absorption and desorption of the materials or products intended for drying are important for the design and operation of dryers such as kiln drying and other processing system. Nowadays, the processing of solid wood into finish product is decreasing due to increase in the cost of solid wood and insufficient supply of quality logs. Agricultural waste such as pineapple leaves is one of the potential raw materials that can be used in particleboards manufacturing. Pineapple leaves particleboards were produced and the diffusion of coefficient of water absorption, percentage thickness swelling and percentage thickness shrinking were determined. Diffusion coefficient was determined based on the absorption and desorption rate. The particleboards manufacturing followed BS EN 326 and testing of samples was in accordance with BS EN 317. The difference in thickness of particleboard has great influence on physical properties. In this study the particleboard made of 1 cm has the lowest water absorption compared with 2 cm particle board and has highest thickness shrinking.
Increase of awareness among people has increased the demand for green products. Other synthetic materials such as plastic and fibreglass has been reduced because of the environmental concern. Reinforcement with other green materials such as lignocellulosic materials has been done to reduce the dependency on synthetic material. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) fibres have the biggest potential to be used as a composite product and also as reinforcement in the composite products. Lignocellulosic materials including kenaf face some of problems when used as a reinforcement material with synthetic materials especially plastic based materials such as polypropylene and polyester. This problem is related to the properties of the fibres and the synthetic materials thus would reduce the mechanical properties of the product manufactured. Modification of the surface by solution treatment has been the popular method for improving the mechanical properties. In this study modification using Sodium Hydroxide or NaOH at three different concentration has been conducted to investigate the influence on the mechanical properties in terms of elasticity and strength properties of the composite material manufactured. The polyester composites were manufactured and tests according to ASTM D790-02 for bending test. Six replications of each type were tested and the values were evaluated using statistical analysis software. All the samples for both MOR and MOE showed significant differences for each type. Based on the result the highest value of the polyester composite was the kenaf that treated with 3% of NaOH solution for both MOR and MOE value.
This study was done to evaluate the effect of the hydrothermal treatment on kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) fibres high density fibreboard (HDF) at elevated temperatures. Four types of HDF were manufactured, one was untreated and the others were treated at three different temperatures that were 100, 130 and 150 °C for 30 minutes in a laboratory autoclave. The thickness swelling of panel when immersed in water decreased with increased of temperature.When the hydrophobicity of panels were increased, the adhesion and penetration of phenol formaldehyde are also decreased. All type of panel manufactured according to the requirement of EN BS 317 standards. HDF panels made from hydrothermally treated kenaf fibres treated at 150°C can be used for interior application or in areas wher it will not be exposed directly to moisture.
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