Study on preparation and properties of hybrid kenaf fiber and sawdust particleboard composite

• Main Author: Nor Fashilin, Azahar
• Format: Undergraduates Project Papers
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
• Online Access: http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/19275/1/Study%20on%20preparation%20and%20properties%20of%20hybrid%20kenaf%20fiber%20and%20sawdust%20particleboard%20composite.pdf; http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/19275/

This thesis reports study of Hybrid kenaf fiber and Sawdust particleboard composite using urea formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde and its physical and chemical properties. Hybrid particleboard are introduced as an alternative for traditional particleboard. The objectives of this research are to prepare hybrid kenaf fiber and sawdust particleboard composite, to determine the physical and mechanical properties of hybrid kenaf fiber and sawdust particleboard composite and to characterize hybrid kenaf fiber and sawdust particleboard composite by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Hybrid kenaf and sawdust particleboard are formed by mixing kenaf fiber and sawdust particle together with urea formaldehyde (UF) or phenol formaldehyde (PF). Before mixing with resin, both kenaf fiber and sawdust particleboard are needed to be grind to obtain powder form. After mixing with resin, the particleboard then placed into a mold and hot pressed. Then, the particleboard undergo conditioning for one week before being cut for physical and mechanical testing. Then, the kenaf fiber particleboard is characterized by using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Hybrid particleboard with phenol formaldehyde do not swell too much and hybrid particleboard with urea formaldehyde has higher tensile strength. From the SEM images, the UF resin and PF resin used are identified. After being tested, hybrid particleboard with phenol formaldehyde has better bond than hybrid particleboard with urea formaldehyde.