PROPERTIES OF PARTICLEBOARD MADE FROM CHILI PEPPER STALKS

Chili pepper stalks were used as raw material for particleboard. Urea–formaldehyde (UF) resin was synthesised in the laboratory with resin solids at 50% content as a particleboard binder. The laboratory particleboards were made using chili pepper stalks and tropical hardwoods based on 0, 23, 48, 73 and 100% oven-dry weight of chili pepper stalks with UF resin. The physical properties of the particleboards were tested according to the ASTM procedure, D 1037-99. Internal bond and bending strength (modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture) of the particleboards decreased gradually with increasing chili pepper stalk content. However, all board types made in this study showed good physical and mechanical properties. Overall, chili pepper stalk can be used as a raw material for particleboard manufacture.