Effect of chemical additives on cement-bonded particle boards produced with sawdust

Abstract

Effect of chemical additives (NaCl and AlCl₃) at concentration levels ranging from 0 – 5% on cement-bonded particle boards (CBPB) produced with sawdust from mixed species was investigated. The objective of the study was to examine the optimum chemical concentration required for better particle board production. The percentage stress loss by different boards under compression and the reversible swelling after cyclic swelling and shrinking were measured. The thickness swelling percentage (T.S %), water absorption percentage (W.A %) and modulus of rupture (MOR) for both sodium chloride – 46.44%, 41.22% and 34.73N/mm² - and aluminum chloride boards – 48.58%, 48.78% and 32.51N/mm² - were both high and comparable. The results obtained indicated that boards produced from sodium chloride (NaCl) at concentration level of 5% gave high dimensional stability of the boards produced. Therefore, the utilization of sodium chloride (NaCl) as chemical additive in the production of cement-bonded particle boards is highly recommended.