Evaluation of some plastic wastes as an additive to reinforcing the high density fiberboard (Hdf)

Abstract

Using plastic wastes in the forest product industry as an additive material is an alternative solution method for decreasing environmental pollution. For this purpose, in this study; different types of plastic wastes, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), which have various characteristics and considerable potential as a reinforcing material for wood fibers, were added to the HDF boards on different mixture ratios (25/75, 50/50, 75/25) with already prepared commercial fibers. The changes on some board properties, like density, water absorption, thickness swelling, modulus of elasticity (MOE), bending strength (MOR), and internal bond strength of the produced high-density fiberboards (HDF) was determined. As a result, it was determined that water absorption and thickness swelling ratios of plastic waste added boards were lower than the control samples. Moreover, the mechanical properties of plastic waste used groups (except PET groups) were as nearly as control samples. According to the results, it is possible to easily say that, the PP and PS wastes can be evaluated in the reinforced HDF production process with different mixture ratios for different usage areas.