No abstract

In parallel with the growing demand for lumber, there has been an increase in the amount of waste generated by this industry, such as chips, shavings, and sawdust as the main waste. Such wastes are disposed in unsuitable locations or burned for energy generation. The present study aimed to evaluate the use of sawdust for particleboard manufacturing. The particleboard were produced with Pinus oocarpa wood and 11% urea-formaldehyde adhesive, with a nominal density of 0.70 g/cm3 and a pressing cycle of 160°C temperature, specific pressure of 3.92 MPa, and a operation time of 8 min. The panels were evaluated for the properties such as apparent density, thickness swelling after 24-h immersion in water, Janka hardness, screw pullout (top and face), compression ratio, internal bond, according ASTM D1037 (2006) standard and modulus of elasticity (MOE), and modulus of rupture (MOR) to static bending acordingo DIN 52362 (1982) standard. The panels produced with sawdust of P. oocarpa wood met all the requirements stipulated by the marketing standard, demonstrating great potential for use in particleboard manufacturing.