Properties of Particleboard Manufactured from Commonly Used Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) Wastes in Bangladesh

Aims: This paper explores the properties of single layer particleboard produced from bamboo wastes and branches. Experimental: Three types of single layer particleboard i.e., branch-waste mixed particleboard (WBPB), bamboo branch particleboard (BPB) and bamboo wastes (shavings obtained during planning operation of bamboo) particleboard (WPB) were manufactured with 15% urea formaldehyde (UF) resin. Physical and mechanical properties of the manufactured particleboards were evaluated according to the ASTM D-1037 standard. Results: Results showed that the physical properties i.e., density, moisture content (MC), water absorption (WA), thickness swelling (TS), linear expansion (LE) and mechanical properties i.e. Original Research Article Alam et al.; AIR, 4(3): 203-211, 2015; Article no.AIR.2015.075 204 modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) of bamboo branch-waste mixed particleboard (WBPB) was better than bamboo branch particle board (BPB) and bamboo wastes particle board (WPB). It was found that the density of BPB, WPB and WBPB were 742, 846 and 1024 kg/m, respectively. Thickness swellings of BPB, WPB and WBPB after 24 hours of immersion were 32.33, 19.6 and 16.3%, respectively. Water absorption rate of BPB, WPB and WBPB particleboards were 81, 64.3 and 39.8%, respectively. Modulus of rupture of BPB, WPB and WBPB were 16.8, 18 and 21.6 N/mm 2 , respectively. Conclusion: All these three types of particleboard followed the American National Standard ANSI A208.1 requirements for physical and mechanical properties of particleboard.