Study of physical and mechanical characteristics of particleboard made from Poplar (Populus alba) wood and sunflower Peel

Because of shortage of woody forest resources and increasing uses of agricultural residues in wood industry, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of sunflower peel content on physical and mechanical properties of particleboard made from combination of sunflower peel and wood particles of poplar (Populus alba). The main physical and mechanical properties including swelling thickness in 2, 12, and 24 hours followed by modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and internal bonding strength were tested. The results showed that swelling thickness of 2, 12, and 24 hours immersion in distilled water decreased modulus of rupture (MOR). Modulus of elasticity (MOE) and internal bonding strength significantly were decreased by increasing sunflower peel content in the particleboard. Based on the present findings none of the manufactured particleboard panels made from the combination of wood and sunflower’s peel particles didn’t meet the EN 312-4, EN 312-3, and EN 312- 2 standards.