Acoustic and Thermal Properties of Particleboards Made from Mulberry Wood (Morus alba L.) Pruning Residues

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the acoustic and thermal properties of particleboards made from mulberry wood pruning waste using urea formaldehyde resin (UF) as a binder. The investigation focused on the evaluation of the thermal conductivity and the acoustic absorption of the boards and the assessment of their feasibility for use in the construction sector. The mean thermal conductivity values of the particleboards (0.065–0.068 W/mK) were lower than those obtained in wood and similar to those in cork panels. The samples were tested with frequencies from 50 to 6300 Hz. In all cases, the results allowed us to conclude that they were better sound absorbers than commercial wood and plywood panels of the same average density for low frequencies, and with similar values for medium and high frequencies. The mechanical results reached the minimum requirement to be considered as boards for general use and, specifically with particles from 0.25 to 1.00 mm, for furniture according to European standards. The particle size of the particleboards was the variable that influenced all the acoustic properties, but did not affect the thermal conductivity. The experimental results indicated that the thermal and acoustic properties of these particleboards were promising for their application in commercial uses.

Heat Transfer Efficiency and pMDI Curing Behavior during Hot-Pressing Process of Tea Oil Camellia (Camellia Oleifera Abel.) Shell Particleboard

“…Additionally, panels with a 30% ratio of surface layers were found to absorb sound better due to their lower density and higher porosity [ 46 ]. According to ISO 11654 [ 47 ], the TOCS-based particleboards produced in this study were compliant with the sound absorption coefficient level rating for rooms with sound absorption classes D and C. In terms of particle geometry Ferrandez-Villena et al reported that, in the same density, panels with bigger particles indicated better sound absorption coefficient [ 48 ]. The reason for this conclusion is that bigger particles create more empty spaces.…”

Upcycling Different Particle Sizes and Contents of Pine Branches into Particleboard

“…Alamsyah et al [ 33 ] in their study indicate that IB results can be influenced by the mixing of particles with glue, sheet molding, and pressing and that the higher bulk density of the alternative raw material translates into higher IB results. In another study, the researchers used mulberry branches for particleboard, and the IB study obtained the following results sequentially for variants depending on particles size: 0.25–1 mm—1.43 N mm −2 , 1–2 mm—1.54 N mm −2 , and 2–4 mm—2.30 N mm −2 , at a particleboard density of 800–830 kg m −3 [ 34 ].…”