Effect of the Expanded Polystyrene Granules on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Lightweight Panels

The aim of the present study is the production of low density hybrid panels using expanded polystyrene granules (EPS) with different diameter and percentage. Expanded polystyrene granules used in 3 forms of fine, medium and large granules with an average diameters of 0.55, 2 and 7 mm, respectively. The amount of EPS substituted in the core layer was 5, 10 and 15% based on oven dry mass of wood coarse particles. The results showed that the mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity, internal bond, face and edge screw withdrawal resistance) were significantly enhanced with increasing the EPS diameters. Increasing the amount of EPS from 5 to 15% had also shown that the internal bond and physical properties were significantly improved. The bending properties and screw withdrawal resistance (both face and edge) were not significantly influenced with increasing the EPS content. The most important findings from these research was that the improvement of all properties were observed with using polystyrene granules in core layer in comparison with reference panels.