Surface measurement of binderless bio-composite particleboard through contact angle and fractal surfaces

Contact angles quantify the wettability of the rough or smooth surfaces of board materials. The aim of this study was to experimentally verify the Wenzel and Cassie theory and evaluate the essential properties of the binderless bio-composite particleboard fabricated from oil palm trunk and Acacia mangium wood. The particleboard properties were explored through contact angle surface morphology, fractal dimension, and surface roughness measurement. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic natures of the particleboard surface were established through Wenzel and Cassie theory. The contact angle and fractal dimensions showed that particleboards with a high proportion of oil palm trunk (OPT) followed the Wenzel theory and hydrophilic in nature. The increase of Acacia mangium wood (AM) proportion in the particleboard increased the fractal dimension and consequently hydrophilicity decreased. These results are well supported by the reduced percentage thickness swelling and water absorption properties of the binderless particleboard. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.