Utilization of Ground Peanut Husk as an Alternative Fiber Material for Particleboard

Abstract

The potential for using peanut (Arachis hypogaea) husks as an alternative fiber for particleboard production was examined at five different levels of melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin (MUF). The resulting panels were evaluated for moisture absorption, thickness swell, flexural properties (modulus of rupture [MOR] and modulus of elasticity [MOE]) and internal bond (IB) strength. MOR, MOE and IB values of panels containing ≥6 percent resin met or exceeded American National Standards Institute standards for multiple grades of particleboard although they were weaker than previous reports of commercially produced wood particleboards. Moisture uptake and thickness swell also improved markedly at resin levels >6 percent. The results suggest that peanut husks are an attractive alternative fiber source in combination with the MUF resin system.