Albizia richardiana King & Prain as a raw material for ply and particleboard

Abstract

Woods of Albizia richardiana has been studied for assessing the suitability for plywood and particleboard manufacture. It was found that 1.5 mm thick smooth and figured veneer can be peeled and dried easily. Three-ply plywood were made using veneer of this species bonded with liquid urea formaldehyde glue of 50% solid content extended with wheat flour and catalyzed (ammonium chloride) with 2% hardener under the three specific pressures, viz,1.05 N/mm2, 1.40 N/mm2, 1.76 N/mm2 in three replications at 6 minute press time and 120°C press temperature. Dry and wet shear test were conducted on the sample and their shear load at failure per unit area and percentage of wood failure were determined. 1.05 N/mm2 pressure for the manufacture of plywood was found to be the best. The physical and mechanical properties of Albizia richardiana wood particleboard were studied. The particleboards were tested for determining the strength and dimensional stability. The tensile strength 0.56N/mm2 passed the British and German standard specification, bending strength (modulus of rupture10.80N/mm2) was found nearest to Indian Standard but low German and British standard specification.