Materials Research (Aug 2013)

Some physical and mechanical properties of medium-density fiberboard made from giant bamboo

  • Nelson Potenciano Marinho,
  • Eduardo Mauro do Nascimento,
  • Silvana Nisgoski,
  • Ivaldo de Domenico Valarelli

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-14392013005000127
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 6
pp. 1387 – 1392

Abstract

Read online Read online

The objective of this study was to evaluate the density, density profile, water swelling and absorption, modulus of elasticity and rupture from static bending, and tensile strength of experimental medium-density fiberboards manufactured using Dendrocalamus giganteus (Munro bamboo). The fiber production was carried out through the chemo-thermo-mechanical pulping process with four different conditions. The panels were made with 10% urea formaldehyde resin based on dry weight of the fibers, 2.5% of a catalyzer (ammonium sulfate) and 2% paraffin. The results indicate that treatments with the highest alkali (NaOH) percentage, time and splinter heating temperature improved the physical properties of the panels. The root-fiber interface was evaluated through scanning electron microscopy in fracture zones, which revealed fibers with thick, inflexible walls. The panels' mechanical properties were affected due to the fiber wall characteristics and interaction with resin. Giant bamboo fiber has potential for MDF production, but other studies should be carried out.

Keywords