Experimental Investigation of the Structural Performance of Waste-Derived Particleboards

Abstract

This study experimentally investigated the structural properties of particleboards manufactured from locally available waste materials, namely rice husk, sawdust, oil-palm fruit fibre, breadfruit seed coating, and shredded plastic waste. Five waste-derived particleboards were produced and compared with a commercially available medium-density fibreboard (MDF) used as the control. The evaluated properties included modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), compressive strength, and Charpy impact energy. The experimental results showed that MOR values ranged from 0.69 to 11.67 N/mm², MOE values ranged from 0.35 to 5.90 N/mm², compressive strength ranged from 0.176 to 0.878 N/mm², and impact energy ranged from 14 to 48 J. The control (MDF) recorded the highest density (643 kg/m³), compressive strength (0.878 N/mm²), MOR (11.67 N/mm²), and MOE (5.90 N/mm²). Among the waste-derived boards, the rice-husk particleboard exhibited the best overall mechanical performance, with MOR, MOE, compressive strength, and impact energy of 10.69 N/mm², 5.35 N/mm², 0.405 N/mm², and 38 J, respectively. The shredded-plastic particleboard recorded the lowest values for most of the evaluated structural properties. The results demonstrate that agricultural waste, particularly rice husk and sawdust, can be converted into useful low-density composite boards. However, the relatively low strength and stiffness of most of the experimental boards indicate that they should not presently be regarded as substitutes for structural-grade particleboard without further optimization. The observed performance limitations were primarily associated with particle morphology, particle size, board density, compaction, moisture conditioning, and manufacturing conditions. The study demonstrates the potential of waste-derived particleboards for selected non-load-bearing and light-duty applications while contributing to waste valorization and reduction of dependence on conventional wood products.