Trapezoidal core sandwich panel produced with sugarcane bagasse

摘要

The properties of traditional particleboards are limited by their flat shape. New shapes and configurations with alternative raw materials enable strength and stiffness gains without significantly increasing weight. In this context, the present work presents an investigation of the potential use of sugarcane bagasse particles agglomerated with castor oil-based polyurethane resin to produce trapezoidal core sandwich panels for building applications. Thickness swelling was analysed based on the Brazilian standard NBR 14810 and flexure tests were performed according to the standard ASTM 0393. Maximum force at failure, bending stiffness (EI), maximum moment (FbS), maximum shear stiffness (U), and core shear modulus (G) were calculated. The obtained results were compared with specifications of the standard PS-2-10 - Performance Standard for Wood-Based Structural-Use, which provides values of bending stiffness and maximum moment requirements for OSB panels according to different classes of use. The evaluated sandwich panels presented bending properties (up to 2.1 x 10(6) N-mm(2)/mm for El and 1199 N-mm/mm for FbS) similar to commercial OSB panels, showing potential for sealing, structural, and flooring applications. The castor oil polyurethane resin presented acceptable efficiency as the particle binder and as an adhesive for the face-core gluing of the low density sandwich panels (0.43 MPa), meeting the minimum requirements recommended by ABNT NBR 14810:2006. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.