Investigation of mechanical properties particleboard based on canola stalks and poplar wood by Response Surface Method (RSM)

In this study the possibility of using canola stalks mixed with poplar wood in the manufacture of particleboard was investigated. Weight ratio of canola particle to poplar particles at five levels (98, 93/75, 87/50, 81/25, 77%), the weight ratio of the urea-formaldehyde/melamine formaldehyde resin as a adhesive at five levels (23, 18/75, 12/50, 6/25, 2%) and moisture content of matt at five levels (10, 12, 15, 18, 20%) were selected as production variables. Mechanical properties of boards consist of MOR, MOE and IB was tested. According to the results, with increasing the canola stalks/poplar particle ratio MOR and MOE of the boards decreased, but all of the values obtained from treatments were higher than standard. Interaction effect analysis of variables showed that the increasing the ratio of melamine formaldehyde/urea formaldehyde resin decreased the bending strength, while the increasing the moisture of mat increased MOR and MOE. IB values of all treatments are lower than the standard. According to the results of response surface methodology (RSM) and interaction effect between studied variables on the mechanical properties of the panels, the best situation for producing the panels was selected as: weight ratio of 84/32 for canola/poplar particle, ratio of 6/25 for UF/MF resin and moisture content of 12% for mattress.