Investigation on The Possibility of Using Canola Stem Residues for Particleboard Manufacturing

In this study, the possibility of using canola stem residues for particleboard manufacturing was studied. The ratio of canola straw to the industrial particles was as 25:50, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:00 percents, respectively. Urea formaldehyde resin was used as binder at three levels of 8, 10 and 12 percent based on oven dried weight of particles and the press time was at three level of 5, 6 and 7 minutes. Control samples were made of industrial wood particles. Then, mechanical and physical properties (modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, internal bonding and thickness swelling after 2 and 24h soaking in water) of the produced boards were measured. The results indicated that increasing canola straw to wood particles, resulted in increasing the bending strength and modulus of elasticity of the boards. Also, increasing the amount of resin and press time improved the mechanical and physical properties of the boards. Precisely Speaking, using canola straw in mixture with industrial particles up to 25%, 12% resin and press time of 7 minutes resulted in producing boards with appropriate physical and mechanical properties which are suitable for interior uses.