Particleboards with partially liquefied bark of different particle sizes

This paper presents a novel method of partially liquefying bark sawmilling waste for use in making particleboards. Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) bark of different particle sizes (fine, medium, coarse, and mixed) was partially liquefied in the presence of ethylene glycol as a solvent and sulphuric acid as a catalyst at 180°C for 30 minutes. Single-layer particleboards were prepared by mixing partially liquefied bark (PLB) and wood chips at a ratio of 0.25 with no adhesives (group A) and at ratios of 0.25 or 0.1 with melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) adhesives for additional bonding (groups B and C respectively). Mechanical and physical properties of the particleboards were tested according to European standards. The results showed that the boards in group A had lower densities, inferior mechanical properties and higher moisture content than those in groups B and C. Bark particle size had a significant effect on the mechanical properties of particleboards within each group. Additional MUF bonding and avoidance of coarse bark particles had a positive effect on mechanical properties. The thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) values of MUF-bonded boards were lower than those of boards without MUF, and greater addition of PLB produced particleboards with better water resistance. Bark particle size was not as critical for TS and WA as for mechanical properties. The overall results suggested using a bark particle size of < 2 mm for further studies.