Multilayer Particleboard Produced with Agroindustrial Waste and Amazonia Vegetable Fibres

This study assesses different thermal-physical-mechanical properties and micro structural characteristics of multilayer particleboards (outer layers made of sugarcane bagasse and inner layer made of sugarcane bagasse and Amazonia vegetable fibres-curaua and jute). Initially, anatomical and physical-chemical properties from these natural fibres were characterized individually in order to evaluate their potential for use in the production of particleboard. The bulk density of the panels was designed to be 550 kg m(-3), and was checked by X-ray. Physical and mechanical properties were evaluated following the ABNT NBR 14810:2013 (2013) Brazilian Standards recommendations. The thermal conductivity was determined by adapting the methodology established by ISO 8301:1999. Results indicate that the multilayer boards present higher superficial density, compared to the inner layers. Mechanical property values of the particleboards with vegetable fibres were higher than the panels using only sugarcane bagasse for the corresponding densities. Moreover, the thermal conductivity of the multilayer boards was similar, indicating that the inclusion of vegetable fibres did not affect this property. The X-ray micro-tomography analyses (microCT) indicated higher porosity in the internal layer. Considering durability tests, the particleboards with vegetable fibres presented lower mechanical properties after aging test. (AU)