A Half-yearly Peer Reviewed Journal of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
This study was carried out to investigate the suitability of particleboards using uprooted tea plants (Camellia sinensis). Wastage and uprooted tea plants were collected from Neptune Tea Garden, Chattogram. The uprooted tea plants were cut into the clipper machine into small portions. Following that, they were processed into chips using a hammer mill machine, which was then dried in a batch oven to the suitable moisture content (5%). Single-layer particleboards were fabricated in a laboratory hot press machine with four different densities i.e. 650, 700, 750 and 800 kg/m3 using liquid urea formaldehyde as an adhesive. Finally the physical and mechanical properties of particleboards made from uprooted tea plants were studied. Characteristics of particleboards such as modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond strength (IB), water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) were measured as a part of the experiment. Results show that particleboards made from uprooted tea plants of 800 kg/m3 density had good static bending MOR property (112.00 kg/cm2) and excellent IB strength pioperty (10.04 kg/cm2). The mean MOR value of the 800 kg/m3 density particleboards was above the Indian (IS 3087, 2005) and ANSI (A208.1-1999) standaid specifications but lower than the British (BS 5669-2:1989) standard specification. Moreover IB strength value was above the Indian, ANSI and British standaid specifications.
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the suitability of medium density fiberboard (MDF) made from hybrid Acacia wood fiber as raw material and urea formaldehyde (UF) as resin binder. Single layer fiberboards were fabricated by five different densities e.g. 700, 725, 750, 775 and 800 kg/m3 using hybrid Acacia wood fiber. Mechanical and physical properties including modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond strength (IB), thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) of the fiberboards were tested according to the Indian Standard (IS 2380:1977). The results of the physical and mechanical properties of the fiber boards were compared with Indian Standard (I 12406: 2003), Euro Standard (D-6300, 1990) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) MDF standard (A208.2, 1994). The results showed that the 800 kg/m3 density fiberboards made from hybrid Acacia wood had the best MOR value and maximum IB strength characteristics among the others. For 800 kg/m3 density fiberboards the MOR value was above the Indian & ANSI Standard but lower than the Euro Standard; and the IB strength value was above the Indian, Euro & ANSI Standard specifications. Water absorption and thickness swelling properties were used to determine the water resistance of the fiberboards.
Welcome to the Bangladesh Journal of Forest Science (BJFS) – a leading platform for advancing the knowledge and understanding of forest science in Bangladesh and beyond. Established with a commitment to excellence, BJFS serves as a cornerstone for researchers, practitioners, and enthusiasts dedicated to the sustainable management and conservation of forest ecosystems.