Utilization of date palm and kenaf fibers for reinforcement of practical properties of plywood

Abstract

Utilization of date palm and kenaf fibers for reinforcement of plywood was investigated and after making plywood with layers of horn beam wood (Carpinus betulus), physical and mechanical properties were analyzed. Variables were the type of fiber (kenaf and date palm), the type of filler (wheat flour and waste paper) and the content of resin (150 and 200 g/m2). The results of this study show that utilization of kenaf and date palm fibers was effective in improvement of physical and mechanical properties of plywood. The mean of specific gravity for reinforced plywood with kenaf and date palm fibers was 0.723 and 0.739 g/cm3 respectively and specific gravity of control was 0.656 g/cm3. The least water absorption and thickness swelling were about reinforced boards with kenaf fibers and 200 g/m2 resin with wheat flour filler .The reinforced boards with kenaf fibers and 150g/m2 resin with wheat flour filler have the best mechanical properties. So the kenaf fibers for reinforcement of properties of plywood were better than date palm fibers and the utilization of wheat flour in manufacture of these boards had better results compared to waste paper filler.

Keywords

• plywood
• UREA FORMALDEHYDE
• date palm fibers
• kenaf fibers
• wheat flour
• waste paper