Physico-Mechanical Properties of Particleboards Produced from Macadamia Nutshell and Gum Arabic

Due to the rising prices and high demand for panels and the fact that formaldehyde-a known carcinogen-is used to manufacture conventional particleboard, this study investigated the suitability of particleboard formed from ground macadamia nutshells mixed with 50%, 40%, 30%, and 20% of gum Arabic and determined its physical and mechanical properties. The specific gravity, the bulk density, the x-ray fluorescence, and the scanning electron microscopy analysis of the two materials were analyzed. After production, the particleboards were cured for 56 days in an acclimatized room; then, the physical and mechanical properties were evaluated. Particleboards mixed with 50% gum Arabic and 50% macadamia nutshell showed good results in terms of the lowest average values of water absorption (9.42%) and thickness swelling (6.22%) after 24 h of immersion in distilled water as well as the highest density (1219.20 kg/m(3)), modulus of rupture (12.21 MPa), modulus of elasticity (1.81 GPa), internal bond strength (1.25 MPa), and compressive strength (22.54 MPa). According to ANSI/A208.1-1999, the particleboards produced met the standard for general-purpose boards except for water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) characteristics, which were above the maximum of 8% and 3%, respectively.

Automated summary

This study investigated the physical and mechanical properties of particleboard made from macadamia nutshells mixed with gum Arabic, showing that particleboards with 50% gum Arabic and 50% macadamia nutshells performed well in terms of water absorption, thickness swelling, and strength. These particleboards met the standard for general-purpose boards, except for water absorption and thickness swelling characteristics.