Physical and mechanical properties of cement-bonded particleboard from stem and branch of sengon wood (Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) barneby & J.W. Grimes)

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of stem and branch/twig mixture of sengon wood (Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J.W. Grimes) on physical and mechanical properties of cement-bonded particleboard. Twelve years old and 20 m high of sengon tree was felt from nearby Samarinda. Cement-bonded particleboard was made by conventional method by using various ratios of stem and branch/twig mixture i.e.: 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100 (w/w). Target density and thickness of panels were 1.2 g/cm3 and 12 mm. Ratio of cement to particle was 75:25 (w/w). The particles were pretreated by boiling (100°C) for 30 minutes. Panels were processed by 30 bars of pressure. The physical and mechanical properties of cement-bonded particleboard were evaluated with reference to ISO 8335:1987. The results showed that the hydration temperature of stem, branch and twig were 52°C for 14 hours, 55°C for 11 hours and 51°C for 13 hours, respectively. The physical properties of the panels were as follow: thickness 12.37-12.45 mm, density 1.16-1.18 g/cm3, moisture content 8.91-9.36%, thickness swelling 2.04-1.83%. The mechanical properties of the panels were as follow: MOE 4316-4855 N/mm2 and MOR 12.48-14.21 N/mm2. All of physical and mechanical properties of the panels were not significantly affected by the mixture treatment. The physical and mechanical properties of the panels fulfill the requirement of ISO 8335:1987. The present study suggested that stem, branch and twig sengon wood have potential as raw material of cement-bonded particleboard.