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.
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