In this study, physical, mechanical, and flammability properties of coconut fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) composite panels were evaluated. Four levels of the coir fiber content (40, 50, 60, and 70 % based on the composition by weight) were mixed with the PP powder and a coupling agent, 3 wt % maleic anhydride grafted PP (MAPP) powder. The water resistance and the internal bond strength of the composites were negatively influenced by increasing coir fiber content. However, the flexural strength, the tensile strength, and the hardness of the composites improved with increasing the coir fiber content up to 60 wt %. The flame retardancy of the composites improved with increasing coir fiber content. The results suggest that an optimal composite panel formulation for automotive interior applications is a mixture of 60 wt % coir fiber, 37 wt % PP powder, and 3 wt % MAPP.

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This study presents the evaluation of some important properties of sandwich-type panels made from bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) and rice straw (Oryza sativa). A total of 32 experimental panels with an average target density ranging from 0.65 to 0.80 g/cm3 were produced. The sandwich-type experimental panels were made from a mix of 95 percent bamboo and 5 percent rice straw particles as the core layers and a mix of 95 percent bamboo and 5 percent rice straw fibers as the face layers. Mechanical properties of the specimens, including modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, internal bond strength, hardness, face screw holding strength, formaldehyde emission, thickness swelling, and surface roughness, were determined. Experimental results showed that both physical and mechanical properties of the samples were favorable. Panel type D, with 50 percent fiber and 50 percent particle and a density of 0.80 g/cm3, had the highest strength characteristics. Mechanical properties of the panel satisfied the minimum requirements for interior particleboard panels for general use based on Japanese Industrial Standard A-5908 of 1995. It appears that using only 5 percent rice straw did not adversely influence overall properties of the samples. This study indicates that bamboo and rice straw furnish can be used as a viable alternative to wood in the form of three-layer, sandwich-type panels with enhanced surface quality as substrate for thin overlays to manufacture panels products for furniture and cabinet units.

The objective of this study was to determine some of the mechanical properties of sandwich-type particleboard manufactured from rubberwood (Hevea brasilenesis) and Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana). A total of 36 panels with two density levels of 0.65 and 0.75 g/cm3 were made using 10 percent urea-formaldehyde, a combination of 3 percent urea-formaldehyde and 10 percent cassava starch, and 10 percent cassava starch, respectively, as a binder. Three-layer panels with rubberwood fibers on the face layers and a mixture of 10 percent Eastern redcedar and 90 percent rubberwood particles in the core layer of the panels were manufactured. The highest modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and internal bond strength values of 2,990, 34.72, and 1.09 MPa, respectively, were found for those panels made with 10 percent urea-formaldehyde having a density of 0.75 g/cm3. Panels made with 10 percent starch did not have satisfactory mechanical properties and dimensional stability according to Japanese Industrial Standards. However, it seems that a mixture of a low percentage of urea-formaldehyde resin with cassava starch would be a viable alternative binder to manufacture particleboard with acceptable mechanical properties and enhanced surface quality.