The effect of moisture content and storage time of Bagasse on particleboard physical and mechanical properties

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of storage time and moisture content of bagasse on the physical and mechanical properties of particleboard. For this purpose, wet depitting bagasse was used and samples were maintained in bailing storage method. In this study, was applied 4 storage times (1.5, 3, 4.5 and 6 months) and 2 moisture content of Bagasse (45% and 55%). According to these variables, particleboards were made. Also chemical properties (pH, acid and alkaline buffering capacity) of Bagasse were determined. The mechanical and physical properties of the boards were measured and statistically analyzed using factorial experiment and complete randomized design. Then Duncan multiple range test was used for grouping of the averages. The results revealed that with decreasing of Bagasse moisture content, Bagasse sample pH and acid buffering capacity were decreased and increased, respectively. Also bending properties and thickness swelling after 24 hours immersion of the boards were improved. With increasing of storage time, the chemical properties of Bagasse tend to be alkaline, and the minimum of board internal bond strength was obtained in 1.5 month storage time. The physical properties of boards were improved with increasing of storage time