Effect of glueline treatment using tobacco stalk and leaf midrib additives on the bond strength and termite resistance of urea-formaldehyde bonded plywood

ABSTRACT Stalk and leaf midrib particles with size <74 µm from the native (Batek) tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) were used as an additive to replace wheat and coconut shell flour in urea-formaldehyde adhesive formulations. Control and formulated glue-mixes with tobacco particles additive were used to bond Falcataria moluccana veneers into 3-ply plywood. The effect of varying amounts of tobacco particles (4, 8 and 12%) in the glue-mixes on shear strength, wood failure and subterranean termite (Microcerotermes losbañosensis) resistance of the plywood was examined. An increase in shear strength and wood failure up to 8% tobacco particles loading was observed compared with plywood that used commercial glue formulation. Based on shear strength and wood failure, panels containing 4–8% tobacco particles would pass the requirements of PNS ISO 12466-2. Termite resistance at 12% tobacco particles improved by 43% compared with the control. Thus, tobacco particles can be considered as a more beneficial alternative glue-mix additive in plywood production.