Effect of the presence of tobacco stalk wastes mixed with industrial wood particle on the dimensional stability and mechanical properties of particleboard

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of using tobacco stalk and industrial wood particles in particleboard industry as a waste material that is not consumed and discarded and has a low price, followed by a reduction in production costs from the way of choosing this raw material was of low value. For this purpose, the particles of tobacco stalk and industrial wood particles with different ratios of 0:100, 30:70 and 60:40, using the amount of adhesive used 12% and 14% (based on the dry weight of the wood chips) and the press time of 5 minutes for the construction of the board was considered. Physical and mechanical properties including thickness swelling after 2 and 24 hours immersion in water and bending strength (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and internal bonding (IB) were measured and all data were statistically analyzed. According to the results of this study, the increase in tobacco stalk particles resulted in increased thickness swelling after 2 and 24 hours immersion in water and reduced bending strength, modulus of elasticity and internal bonding, but all boards had a European standard (EN). Increasing the amount of resin also had a significant effect on all the properties of the boards and improved the properties. In a general conclusion and by comparing the properties of the boards produced with the European standard (EN), showed that using 60% tobacco stalk and 12% urea formaldehyde resin can be produced particleboard with the desired properties. This is a positive result of using tobacco stalk as a type of agricultural residue and, consequently, the prevention of environmental pollution caused by the burning of these compounds.