Properties of particleboards made from sugarcane bagasse particles

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the physical-mechanical properties and the density profile of panels produced with sugarcane bagasse particles with two sizes (0.50 and 0.85 mm) and with pre-treatment (particles treated in hot water at 70 °C for two hours) and without pre-treatment. The nominal density of the panels was 0.65 g cm-3. The cycle parameters were 35 kgf cm-2 of pressure, temperature of 180 °C and 10 min of pressing. The physical and mechanical tests were performed according to the requirements of NBR 14810-2006. The density profile of the particleboards was obtained by X-ray densitometry. The water absorption in two hours was higher in the panels produced with particles treated in hot water. The other physical and mechanical properties were not influenced by the evaluated factors. The apparent density varied along the thickness of the panels, with more pronounced peaks in the outer layers, thus presenting a vertical density gradient within the normal range for this type of panel. The physical-mechanical properties do not meet the minimum requirements by the NBR 14810 (2006) for nonstructural panels for indoor use in dry conditions (Type P2).