The Investigation of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Production Using Corn Stalks Residues

Abstract: The application of corn stalks in the production of oriented strand board (OSB) is investigated. Corn stalks strands were produced in three sizes of 50, 75 and 100 millimeters length and dried to reach 2% moisture content. Oriented strand boards were made using either urea formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde resin, and two press temperatures of 175 and 185 ° C. OSB boards using poplar wood strands, 100 millimeters long were also produced as control samples. The results of strength measurements of the boards were statistically analyzed using factorial experiment and completely randomized block design. The grouping of the averages was based on Duncan Multiple Range Test. The results showed that the effect of the resin type on the flexural properties and internal bonding of the boards is statistically significant and boards produced using phenol formaldehyde resin exhibited the lowest modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and internal bonding strength. However, the adhesive type did not statistically influence the physical properties. The strand length also statistically influenced the board strength properties and boards made using poplar strands showed higher strength compared to corn stalks strands. The thickness swelling of the poplar OSB was almost twice the values of corn stalks OSB but the water absorption of these boards was lower than of corn stalks OSB. Press temperature adversely affected the modulus of rupture and elasticity, but higher press temperature improved the internal bonding strength. Higher press temperature increased the physical properties of the boards