Development of Pulverized Palm Kernel Shells Based Particleboard

Abstract

The study evaluated the performance characteristic of pulverised Palm Kernel Shell (PKS)-based particleboard. The pulverised palm kernel shell was compounded with other ingredients (such as adhesive, saw dust) in the composite development phase. Standard wood-based particleboard and pulverized PKS-wood based particleboard were produced following standard procedure. The particleboards were evaluated and compared with regards to their physical, mechanical and thermal properties. Furthermore, the properties and performance characteristics of the particleboards were compared with the recommended standard. The properties of the PKS-wood based and woodbased particleboards were: 2.557 and 5.654 MPa. And modulus of rupture was 4.093 and 2.454 MPa, modulus of elasticity; 0.50459 and 0.7524 MPa, stress at proportional limit; 5.74691 and 7.14242 J, work at maximum load; 0.72 and 0.54 g/cm3, air-dried density; 10.50 and 11.89 %, moisture content; 1.705 and 3.770 MPa, internal bond strength; 0.50 and 0.13 W/mK, thermal conductivity; and 10.25 and 11.75 %, thickness swelling. This work thus established that PKS may be combined with saw dust as base material in the manufacture of standard particleboards.