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Particle moisture content effects on the physical and mechanical properties of magnesite cement-bonded particleboard

University of British Columbia

The effects of initial particle moisture content, wood-cement ratio and density on physical (thickness swelling and water absorption) and mechanical properties (MOE, MOR, IB and edgewise compression) were investigated. Five initial particle moisture content levels - 0-6%, 8-15%, 25-30%, 40-50% and 60-80%; three wood-cement ratios - 1:1, 1:1.5 and 1:2; and three density levels at each wood-cement ratio - 1:1 -0.472 g/cm³, 0.528 g/cm³ and 0.622 g/cm³, 1:1.5 - 0.636 g/cm³, 0.707 g/cm³ and 0.809 g/cm³; and 1:2 - 0.763 g/cm³, 0.847 g/cm³ and 0.939 g/cm³ were used. Combinations of the above variables gave 45 treatments. Three replicate boards were made for each treatment thus giving a total of 135 panels for the study. A total of 135 test specimens were used for each property tested. Results from the tests were compared to the German and ISO Standards for similar boards and to the Canadian Waferboard Standard. Initial particle moisture content was highly significant in the development of physical and mechanical properties of magnesite cement-bonded particleboard. Increasing initial particle moisture content from 0-6% to 60-80% resulted in the reduction of the physical and mechanical properties of the boards. The highest initial particle moisture content of (60-80%) yielded the lowest physical and mechanical properties. For manufacture of boards of favourable mechanical properties, an initial particle moisture content of not more than 15% is recommended. On the other hand, a higher initial particle moisture content (>40%) is considered desirable if board thickness and water absorption are to be minimized. All the mechanical properties tested consistently increased by increasing wood-cement ratio and density and were highest at 1:2 wood-cement ratio and density level 3 of each wood-cement ratio. Thickness swelling and water absorption were consistently reduced by increasing wood-cement ratio and density. In both physical properties tests, the 1:2 wood-cement ratio and density level 3 yielded the lowest values. Thirty-two of the forty-five treatment combinations of initial particle moisture content, density and wood-cement ratio pass the MOE requirement of the German Standard DIN 52 362 for Portland cement-bonded particleboard; forty-one treatments met the minimum MOE Canadian Waferboard Standard requirements, while no treatment meet the MOR requirements for this Standard. Eleven of the forty-five treatments met the minimum IB Canadian Waferboard Standard requirements. All the 45 treatments pass the ISO building board requirements in thickness swelling, while 18 treatments pass the water absorption requirements for this Standard. Most of the treatment combinations compare favourably with results obtained in tests conducted in Europe for cement-bonded particleboard.

Text

2010-03-30

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/23144

Forestry

University of British Columbia

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