Resin Content and Board Density Dependent Mechanical Properties of One-Layer Particleboard Made from Willow (Salix viminalis)

The paper presents the results of studies on the mechanical properties of one-layer particleboards made from willow (Salix viminalis). Since the particleboards were to simulate the core layer of typical furniture three-layer particleboards, they were made from coarse particles of the size from 1 to 4 mm using urea-formaldehyde resin as a binder. The effects of board density and resin content were evaluated. Three levels of resin content: 8, 9 and 10 %, and board density: 0.57, 0.60 and 0.63 g/cm3, were assumed. The effects of both factors, for their assumed ranges of variation, on the mechanical properties of particleboard were statistically signifi cant. The modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond (IB) and screw holding strength (SHS) were determined. The effect of board density on MOE and MOR was greater than that of resin content, whereas the effect of board density on IB and SHS was less than that of resin content.