PROPERTY EVALUATION OF BAMBOO REINFORCED COCONUT SAWDUST PARTICLE BOARD WITH NEEM TREE RESIN

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different binders on the properties of coconut lumber - bamboo strips particleboard. In this study, three binders were subjected to testing which are 100% neem tree resin, 50% neem tree resin + 50% synthetic binder, and 100% synthetic binder. Physical and Mechanical properties were tested among the particle board. Under the physical properties are specific gravity (SG), water absorption (WA), and thickness swelling (TS). On the mechanical properties are internal bond (IB), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and modulus of rapture (MOR). All treatments in physical properties showed significant difference (P>0.05) in terms of all physical properties tested. Internal bond also showed significant difference among treatments used while both MOR and MOE had no significant difference. All the specimen passed the American Standard of Particle Board; hence Neem tree resin can be used as binder on particle boards