Evaluation of properties of graded density fiberboard produced from wood residues (sawdust and corrugated paper)

Reuse of materials from industrial and services waste streams is pertinent to achieving sustainable forest production. The enormous wood residues generated at sawmill and the disposal of wood-based products poses threat not only to sustenance of the forest resources but also has negative adverse effect on the environment. Limitation exists in the utilization of wood residues as raw material for panel board production in developing countries. This study examined the physical and mechanical properties of graded density fibreboards produced from varying mixture of sawdust and corrugated paper (pulp) at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) in 2019. A 2×9 factorial experiment in one-way analysis of variance was used to test for significant difference between the factors (density and mixing ratio) considered. The results showed that densities of all boards produced varied relating to mixing proportions. The densities increased with increasing content of corrugated paper. Boards produced at 0.45 g/cm3 showed higher density (0.648 g/cm3), bending strength (MOR) (1.47 N/mm2) and lesser water absorption (118.69%) than those produced at 0.65 g/cm3 having values of 0.58 g/cm3, 1.32 N/mm2 and 153.67%, respectively. However, boards produced at 0.65 g/cm3 had higher elasticity in bending (MOE) (209.19 N/mm2) and lesser thickness swelling (6.29%) than those produced at 0.45 g/cm3 having values of 74.87 N/ mm2 and 10.88%, respectively. Panels G (mixing ratio = sawdust : corrugated paper : urea formaldehyde = 20 : 60 : 20), E (30 : 50 : 20) and I (0 : 70 : 20) showed superior features in physical and mechanical properties comparing with panel I being the best mixture. Conclusively, wood residues (sawdust and corrugated paper) are suitable raw materials for fibreboard production.