Effect of pressing temperature and time on the physico mechanical properties of citric acid bonded buluh minyak (bambusa vulgaris) particleboard

This study investigated the effect of pressing temperature and pressuring time on the physico-mechanical properties of citric acid bound buluh Minyak (Bambusa vulgaris). Particleboard was produced using a laboratory hot press machine with different pressing temperatures (170°C, 180°C, 190°C) and time (5, 10 minutes). The physical properties evaluated were thickness swelling (TS), as well as water absorption (WA), with constant density and moisture content (MC), while the mechanical properties tested are modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE). The determination of physical and mechanical properties of the samples were conducted in accordance with JIS A 5908:2003 standard. The results showed that increasing the temperature and pressing time significantly increased the strength and reduced the swelling thickness and water absorption. The highest MOR value was achieved at the highest pressing temperature and highest pressing time which are 190°C and 10 minutes, respectively, while MOE value was achieved at the highest temperature (180°C) and short pressing time (5 minutes), which is related to the superior bond in the boards pressed under these conditions. Overall, the optimal parameter for the manufacturing of citric acid (CA) bonded bamboo particleboard with sufficient physico-mechanical properties was a pressure temperature of 180°C for 10 minutes. This study showed the potential of using a non-toxic citric acid adhesive to produce buluh Minyak particleboard for environmentally friendly structural applications.