Performance of Particleboards Made from Forest and Agricultural Wastes

Wood-based panels have been widely used around the world, replacing solid wood in various segments of the industry, such as furniture, panels, structures and other building components. The large volume of waste generated by agro industry enables the development of alternative and sustainable materials, highlighting the particleboard. This paper presents a study about production and evaluation of particleboard of Eucalyptus grandis and oat hulls, bonded under pressure with two types of resins (polyurethane based on castor oil and urea formaldehyde). Physical-mechanical performance of the panels produced was evaluated based on ABNT NBR 14810:2006, ANSI A208.1: 1999, BS EN 312: 2003 and CS 236-66: 1968. A variance analysis (ANOVA) evaluated the factors influence: Eucalyptus grandis, with mass ratios of 70, 85 and 100%; oat hulls, in proportions of 15, 30 and 100%; adhesives, in proportions of 10, 12 and 14%, and the combination of both, in each of the response variables (physical and mechanical properties) evaluated. Results showed good physical-mechanical properties, in some cases much higher than national and international codes requirements.