Application of African Couchgrass in Manufacturing of Medium Density Fiberboard

Abstract

Worldwide, the medium density fiberboard (MDF) materials have been extensively used for furniture as well as a normal building material. The MDF production is based on wood materials that are obtained from the tree cutting, and this process may conduct to gradual deforestation. Different works have shown the advantages of using other renewable biomass sources for MDF manufacturing. This study aimed at assessing the potential of using the African couchgrass, as one of worldwide available grass, and which has been one of the most worrying weeds for agriculture areas. The test with the manufactured MDF checked such material properties like density, moisture content, water absorption, and thickness swelling. The established results were 727.143 kg/m3, 5.81%, 9.18%, and 7.6% respectively. All those results are in the range of standard values recommended by ASTM D1037, and they give optimism for the application of couchgrass in the manufacturing of MDF. This new material was planned to be used as a partition component. Therefore, further studies should evaluate other important properties, like fire and sound resistance, while a proposal for potential replacement of the used industrial wood glue is also welcome.

Keywords

• african couchgrass
• density
• medium density fiberboard
• thickness swelling
• water absorption