RUBBERWOOD PARTICLEBOARD MANUFACTURED USING EPICHLOROHYDRIN-MODIFIED RICE STARCH AS A BINDER

摘要

The objective of this study was to investigate the properties of experimental particleboard panels manufactured using rice starch and epichlorohydrin-modified rice starch with added urea formaldehyde as binders. The physical and mechanical properties of the panels having two density levels, namely 0.60 g/cm(3) and 0.80 g/cm(3) were evaluated as a function of adhesive types. Thermal analysis and morphology of the samples were also determined employing Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Scanning Electron Microscopy, respectively. The panels having 0.80 g/cm(3) density level made with modified starch to which 2% urea formaldehyde was added had the highest mechanical properties. These panels had average values of 23.05 N/mm(2), 3691.50 N/mm(2), and 0.64 N/mm(2) for modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and internal bond strength, respectively. It appears that rice starch modified with epichlorohydrin could have a potential to be used as a binder to manufacture particleboard panels with satisfactory properties within the perspective of an environmentally friendly approach.