Certain physical and mechanical properties of medium density fiberboards manufactured from blends of corn (Zea mays indurata Sturt.) stalks and pine (Pinus nigra) wood

Authors : Mehmet AKGÜL, Cengiz GÜLER, Yalçın ÇÖPÜR

Pages : 197-206

View : 21 | Download : 15

Publication Date : 2010-06-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Corn stalk is a renewable natural resource that currently has limited industrial utilization. The objective of this study was to examine some chemical properties of corn stalk insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(holocellulose, a-cellulose, lignin and ash content, alcohol-benzene, hot and cold water solubility, and solubility in dilute alkali [1% NaOH]); and to evaluate its suitability for medium-density fiberboard insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MDF); production. Panels were produced using mixtures of corn stalk insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Zea mays indurata Sturt.); and pine insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Turkish Pinus nigra); fibers in various proportions insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(from 0% to 100%);. The panels produced had density levels of 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 g cm-3. The physical and mechanical properties of the manufactured panels were tested. Chemical analysis shows that the holocellulose, a-cellulose, and lignin content of corn stalk was similar to that of wood and some other crop residues. The ash content of corn stalk was higher than that of soft- and hardwoods. Mechanical test results indicate that the panels produced utilizing solely corn stalk met the required standards, except the panels with a density of 0.6 g cm-3. Increasing the pine fiber ratio in the panel mixture improved panel properties.
Keywords : Key words Corn stalk, Turkish black pine, medium density fiberboard, chemical composition, fiber properties, physical and mechanical properties