Usage possibilities of fibers and particles obtained from kermes oak (quercus coccifera l.) wood in board production

In this study, usage possibility of particles and fibers obtained from kermes oak (Quercus coccifera L.) wood in board production was investigated. Boards were produced from mixtures of kermes oak and brutian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) particles and fibers. The ratios of kermes oak:brutian pine were 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0 in the experimental design of particle and fiberboards. Chemical and thermal properties of particles used were determined and their effects on the physical and mechanical properties of the produced boards were revealed. Kermes oak particles exhibited higher extractive, α-cellulose and hemicellulose contents, but lower lignin content than the brutian pine particles and fibers. Main chemical component analysis were supported by FTIR analysis. It was observed that kermes oak particles and fibers were more acidic than the brutian pine particles. Monosaccharides were rhamnose (0.34 and 0.36%), arabinose (0.84 and 0.86%), xylose (21.24 and 21.27%), mannose (2.04 and 2.05%), galactose (1.01 and 1.04%) and glucose (50.44 and 50.41%) in the kermes oak particles and arabinose (1.72 and 1.71%), xylose (7.89 and 7.85%), mannose (10.65 and 10.70%), galactose (2.11 and 2.15%) and glucose (46.50 and 46.55%) in the brutian pine particles and fibers. Kermes oak particles presented higher thermal stability compared to brutian pine particles. Water absorption and thickness swelling values of produced particleboards failed to meet the requirements of the TS EN 312 standard. Modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture and internal bond strength values of the boards produced with 25 and 50% kermes oak particles met the requirements for general-purpose particleboards used in dry conditions according to the TS EN 312 standard. The increase of kermes oak in the fiber mixture raised the water absorption and thickness swelling, but reduced the modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture and internal bond strength of the produced boards. The boards produced with 25% kermes oak fibers met the requirements of the standard TS EN 622-5 in terms of the thickness swelling, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture and internal bond strength for load-bearing applications in dry conditions.