Effects of wood species, wax sizing and application technics on physicial and mechanical properties of particleboard

In this study; effects of wood species, wax sizing and application technics on the physical (density, moisture amount, thickness increasing ratio) and mechanical (modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, internal bond strength) properties of particleboard were examined.According to the results, the highest mechanical strengths and the lowest thickness swelling were reached at test boards produced from mixed particles. The lowest mechanical properties and the highest thickness swelling values were obtained from the panels made from oak with hardener.Particleboard manufactured from raw materials that have high amount of alchol-benzene and 1% NaOH solubilities had low thickness swelling and poorer mechanical strength properties. Hardener addition for wood species at low pH values negatively affected physical and mechanical properties. Particleboards made from raw materials which have high amount of cellulose showed higher mechanical properties and poorer physical property. High lignin and alpha cellulose caused high mechanical strength properties.While long fibers, cell wall thichness, number of vessel / tracheid in 1 mm2 affected mechanical properties positively, they caused a negative effect on the thickness swelling. The ray cells decreased physical and mechanical properties.While increasing wax amount, improved the thickness swelling, mechanical properties were decreased. Test boards produced by applying firstly wax, later adhesive gave better physical and mechanical properties then those of panels produced with firstly adhesive, later wax used and a mixing of these, respectively.