Abstract

• es of the fabricated single-layer experimental particleboards. Particleboards were made from treated betel nut fiber bonded with 40% modified cashew nut shell liquid. The particleboards were prepared by varying pressing temperature (130 °C, 140 °C, 150 °C, 160 °C, 170 °C and 180 °C). Different lengths of betel nut fiber (0.5cm, 1.0cm, 2.0cm, 3.0cm and 4.0cm) were also used for the preparation of particleboards. The experimental particleboards were tested for their physicomechanical properties such as modulus of rupture (MOR) and density by British Standard Method (BS) and then water absorption (WA) and swelling thickness (ST) according to the procedures defined by Indian Standard Method (IS). The tensile strength (T.S) and hardness of prepared particleboards were also studied by using Tensile Tester and Hardness Tester. The surface morphology of prepared particleboards was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) to measure the fiber pull out and fracture behavior. Thermal gravimetric analysis was also carried out to study the thermal degradation of prepared particleboards using TG-DTA. The study revealed that the sample of betel nut fiber length 2.0cm and pressing temperature 170°C showed highest MOR, TS and least WA, ST and highest density and hardness when compared with other prepared particleboards due to the physicomechanical properties of 3273 psi (MOR), 3.6 lb (TS) and 9% (WA), 22.28% (ST)and 1.20 gcm-3 (density) and 88.75 Shore D (hardness). It was found that the fiber length and pressing temperature have a significant effect on the board properties.