Influence of Particle Size on the Properties of Boards Made from Washingtonia Palm Rachis with Citric Acid

Maria Teresa Ferrandez-Garcia, Antonio Ferrandez-Garcia, Teresa Garcia-Ortuño, Clara Eugenia Ferrandez-Garcia and Manuel Ferrandez-Villena
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Maria Teresa Ferrandez-Garcia: Department of Engineering, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03300 Orihuela, Spain
Antonio Ferrandez-Garcia: Department of Engineering, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03300 Orihuela, Spain
Teresa Garcia-Ortuño: Department of Engineering, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03300 Orihuela, Spain
Clara Eugenia Ferrandez-Garcia: Department of Engineering, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03300 Orihuela, Spain
Manuel Ferrandez-Villena: Department of Engineering, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03300 Orihuela, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-11

Abstract: The manufacture of technical materials of mineral and synthetic origin currently used for thermal insulation in buildings consumes a large amount of energy and they are not biodegradable. In order to reduce the environmental problems generated by their manufacture, an increasing amount of research is being carried out on the use of renewable and ecological resources. Consequently, the use of plant fibers and natural adhesives in the development of new thermal insulating products is increasing worldwide. Palm trees were used as a replacement for wood in some traditional constructions in places with scarce wood resources. This paper discusses the use of palm pruning waste in the manufacture of particleboards, using citric acid as a natural binder. Five particle sizes of Washingtonia palm rachis were used as the raw material for manufacturing the boards and the citric acid content was set at 10% by weight, in relation to the weight of the rachis particles. Single-layer agglomerated panels were made, applying a pressure of 2.6 MPa and a temperature of 150 °C for 7 min. Twenty panels were produced and their density, thickness swelling, water absorption, modulus of rupture, internal bonding strength and thermal conductivity properties were studied. Smaller particle size resulted in better mechanical properties. The boards had an average thermal conductivity of 0.084 W/m · K, meaning that these boards could be used for thermal insulation in buildings.

Keywords: thermal insulation; plant waste; particleboards; properties; Washingtonia robusta H. Wendl (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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