Abstract

This study aimed to utilize ecofriendly adhesive mix consist of natural rubber (NR) latex and starch for fabrication of jute stick particleboards. Jute stick particleboards were fabricated with ecofriendly adhesive mixtures where the mixing ratios of NR latex to starch were 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3. In addition, concentrated formic acid (30%) was mixed with the particles to accelerate the bonding between the particles. The total adhesive content was 10% of the jute stick particles. A total of nine (9) jute stick particleboards (for each mixing ratio three replications) were fabricated with the dimension of 280×180×6 mm. The fabricated particleboards were analyzed according to ANSI standards to evaluate the physical (density, moisture content, water absorption and thickness swelling) and mechanical (modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), tensile strength) properties. Results revealed that the density of the particleboard (816-857 Kg/m3) followed the density requirements of the ANSI standards, however water absorption was higher (36-71% after 2 hours of submersion) than the standards. Accordingly, higher water absorption led to the higher thickness swelling of the fabricated particleboards. The MOE and MOR results indicated that higher starch content in the adhesive formulations, significantly increased the MOE and MOR compared with higher natural rubber latex. Thus, the results of this study indicated that NR latex in association with starch and formic acid can be used as a viable ecofriendly binder for particleboard fabrication. However, further research is recommended for reducing the water absorption of the particleboards to meet the requirement of ANSI standard.