Agglomerated panels made from babaçu coconut residues

Abstract

The particleboard manufacturing in the world is sustained by the species Pinus spp. and Eucalyptus spp. However, the use of waste epicarp and endocarp from the extraction process almond coconut babassu can be an alternative raw material at low cost. This research, objective was to assess the technical feasibility of using these residues in the production of particleboard. The panels were produced: 100% epicarp (100EP), 100% endocarp (100EN) and 50% epicarp 50% endocarp (50EP) bonded with polyurethane bi-component resin castor oil base with a 12% content on dry weight the particle. The evaluation of particleboard produced was based on the procedures of NBR Technical Standards 14810-2:2013 and ANSI A208.1:2009 with physical characteristics (density, thickness swelling and water absorption at 2 and 24 h) and mechanical (internal adhesion, modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture in bending). The results obtained in this research indicate the technical impossibility of using residues of babassu coconut in the production of agglomerated panels, since they do not meet the minimum values of physical properties required by normative documents. However, they promote excellent mechanical performance, especially the babassu coconut epicarp.