EFFECT OF HOT-PRESSING PARAMETERS ON SELECTED PROPERTIES OF FLAKEBOARD

Abstract

Physical and mechanical properties of flakeboards produced from radiata pine flakes under different hot-pressing conditions were investigated in this study. The flakeboard mats were hot-pressed at 2.8 MPa with two different temperatures (170 and 190 degrees C) and three different durations (7, 10, and 15 min). At the 170 degrees C of hot-pressing temperature, the highest bending strength was found in the flakeboards pressed for 7 min while the highest modulus of elasticity was found in the flakeboards pressed for 15 min. The highest internal bond strength was found to be 0.13 MPa for the flakeboards pressed at 190 degrees C for 15 min. The thickness swelling and water absorption of flakeboards pressed at 190 degrees C were lower than those of the flakeboards pressed at 170 degrees C. The control of hot press temperature and duration appears an effective method to enhance serviceability of flakeboard.