Utilization of Recycled Polyethylene For Physical & Mechanical Properties Modification of Particleboard

The aim of this study has been utilization of recycled polyethylene in modification of physical and mechanical properties of particleboard. Therefore, three levels of resin consumption content ( 10, 7 and 4% ) and three levels of recycled polyethylene consumption content 5, 10 and 15% in surface layer of mat, particleboards produced. Also in order to influence of these variables on physical and mechanical properties of produced boards, 3 particleboards with 10% resin content in surface layer and without polyethylene as control samples produced. The physical and mechanical properties of boards measured and analyzed. The results of this study indicated that with increasing of the recycled polyethylene consumption content, the MOR, MOE and thickness swelling of boards improved significantly and the produced boards with 15% recycled polyethylene in compare with control boards increased 59 and 53% respectively. Also the results revealed that the water absorption of boards decreased with increasing of increasing of recycled polyethylene consumption content, and the minimum of water absorption of boards observed in the produced boards with 15% recycled polyethylene. Based on the results of this research and with increasing of polymeric residues in the envirement , we conclude that the utilization of recycled polyethylene in particleboard production has different advantages.