Strength evaluation of agro waste particle board with melted pure water sachet as the binding agent

Particle board is a construction material that can be used either for construction form works or house furniture, roofing or insulating materials. Due to its usefulness, this research work is aimed at evaluating the mechanical strength and rheological properties of particle board using agro waste namely corncob (CC) and sawdust(SD) with melted pure water sachet as the binding agent. The use of the pure water sachet or low density polyethylene (LDPE) as the binder was also evaluated, by the use of dual purpose kerosene (DPK) to form the homogenous binder that was used to produce the board. The proportion of LDPE to DPK was 50g to 300ml. Three ratio of the LDPE to sawdust and corncob were used; 2:1, 1½: 1, and 1: 1 in which the ratio of CC to SD was interchanged in proportion of 25%:75%, 50%: 50% and 75%: 25% to make 100% aggregate or combination. The production of the particle board was then made with a dimension of 350mm x 350mm x 10mm. The rheological properties of the binder show that it has adequate viscosity, binding power and strength compatible with the sawdust and the corncob. The results from the physical and mechanical property such as density, water absorption (WA), thickness swelling (TS), modulus of rupture (MR) and the modulus of elasticity (ME) concluded that the particle board type 1:1 had favorable physical properties that are recommended for indoor uses in building.