Development of Innovative Particleboard Panels Razvoj inovativnih plo~a iverica Professional paper · Stru~ni rad Received – prispjelo: 7. 2. 2008. Accepted – prihva}eno: 28. 10. 2008.

(chipboard) Panels for a better mechanical performance and a lower environmental impact) is the development of lightweight particleboards made from annual/perennial farm plants such as hemp, sunflower, topinambur, maize and miscanthus. These lightweight particleboards are intended as a possible substitution for traditional wood-based particleboards used in the furniture industry. Therefore the requirements of the EN 312 concerning the moisture-related and mechanical properties of boards for interior use have to be met. The results of research have shown that the internal bond strength of one-layer lightweight particleboards made in the experiment meets the requirements of EN 312 (type P2) and the internal bond strength of three-layer boards with topinambur in the core layer does not meet these requirement. The lightweight boards failed to meet the requirements of modulus of elasticity and bending strength. Key words: lightweight particleboards, annual/perennial farm plants, wood chips, binder, mechanical and moistu-re related propertie