Strength properties of case furniture joints constructed with solid wood and plastic dowels

In this study, joint factor?s strength properties of 1/1 scaled boxes, were constructed of dowel joined particle board (PB) and medium density fiberboard (MDF) are investigated. In tests, 16 mm thickness and 18 mm thickness wood based composites are used. Dowel joining technique are used in boxes which have L and H-type joints, and plastic and oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) dowels are used, which had 8 mm diameter and 30 mm length. As an adhesive, polyurethane glue are used in joints. Glue is only applied on the dowel surface and a wax paper is put between the panel?s joining surfaces, thanks to this, joining only became at dowels. In L and H-type joints have some critical external forces, under statical force, diagonal compression tests, diagonal tension tests and moment capacity tests are applied. At the end of the tests, MDF specimens are the most strength is seen in 18 mm with oriental beech dowel joined. It is determined that plastic dowels do not have enough strength to use in case constructions. In dowel joined systems oriental beech dowels should be preferred. Also, it is determined that, 18 mm MDF have more strength than 16 mm MDF,18 mm YL has more strength than 16 mm YL.