Medium density fiberboard (MDF) from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and rubberwood: the effect of storage time and different relative humidity on mechanical and physical properties
2006
M.Y., Nur Firdaus | H.P.S., Abdul Khalil | M., Anis
Commercial medium density fiberboard (MDF) was produced using rubberwood and oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) based on oven dried weight. The board was stored at 3 different relative humidity (RH) with fixed temperature at 20c. The relative humidity used were 93%, 65% and ambient condition as a control element (average temperature: 23c-33c and average RH: 64%-80%). The effect of storage time and relative humidity on MDF was assessed by measuring the changes of the board properties for one month at one week interval. The mechanical and physical test was analyzed to determine basic studies of the effect of this parameter toward the MDF properties. The mechanical properties involved were the internal bonding (IB) and flexural test. While, the physical test were thickness swelling (TS), water absorption (WA) and moisture content (MC). The result showed that a slight reduction in IB strength and flexural strength of the panel, with increasing time storage. Possible mechanisms behind this reduction are discussed. The value of TS, WA and MC increases by increasing storage time. The storage of board at 65% RH was showed to have lower effect on the dimensional stability of the panel. Storage of panel at 93% RH exhibited a decreased in the dimensional stability of board with the increased of TS and WA.
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