This work intends to verify the technical feasibility of NaOH treatment in particleboard manufacture made from banana pseudostem fibers. The particles were treated for a 24 hour period and subsequently washed with water to remove the product. The concentration used was NaOH at 0.5%. The adhesive used was urea - formaldehyde at 12%, the pressing cycle was 4 MPa, at 160 °C for 8 minutes. The water absorption after 2 hours immersion was 148.79% and 189.83% after 24 hours. Thickness swelling value after 2 hours was 54.96% and 74.05% after 24 hours. The results were above the literature values and the minimum values required by the CS 236-66 standard for swelling after 24 hours immersion.