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Preparation of Rice Husk‐Based Medium Density Fiberboards: Effects of pH Modification on Mechanical and Tribological Performance
Author(s) -
Vargas Susana,
Rodriquez J. Rogelio,
Lobland Haley E. Hagg,
Piechowicz Katarzyna,
Brostow Witold
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201300341
Subject(s) - husk , materials science , tribology , composite material , chemical engineering , nuclear chemistry , engineering , chemistry , botany , biology
Rice husk (RH) is a major waste byproduct of global rice paddy production. Powdered RH is mixed with a polymeric resin to produce RH‐based medium density board. Resin concentration is varied and several particles sizes of RH powder are tested. The RH powder is subjected to acidic, neutral, and alkaline treatments to determine how they affect adhesion of the resin to the powder. The adhesion controls, to a large extent, the mechanical and tribological performance. Thus, mechanical and tribological properties of fiberboards prepared from untreated RH powder are compared to treated specimens and the effects of pH are determined. The mechanical performance of the RH‐based MDF compares favorably to similar commercial building materials.