Optimization of castor oil polyurethane resin content of OSB panel made of Dendrocalamus asper bamboo

This work presents a study of the optimization of castor oil polyurethane (PU) resin content for the production of Oriented Strand Boards (OSB) using bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper). For this study, medium-density (650 kg/m3) OSB panels were produced with different resin contents (8%, 10%, 12%, and 15%). The bamboo particles were characterized through physical, chemical and anatomical analyses, identifying the potential of this product as a raw material for OSB panels. Subsequently, the physical and mechanical properties of OSB panels were evaluated. The results indicated that bamboo and castor oil PU are suitable for the production of OSB panels, and all the conditions met the minimum requirements of the European standard EN 300 (2002), for OSB type 1. In particular, the best overall properties were obtained by the panels with a resin content of 12%, achieving the minimum requirements for applications as a structural panel (type 4), opening new opportunities for formaldehyde-free engineered bamboo materials for the built environment.