DEVELOPMENT OF KENAF PARTICLEBOARDS AGGLOMERATED WITH PRODUCTS OF SOME TANNIN PLANT’S ORGANS FROM TOGO

Résumé

To satisfy the double objective to mitigate the rarefaction of the sawlog and to reduce the anthropic pressure on the natural shrubby formations, the particleboards appear to be an alternative. Indeed, the compressed panels become a method of valorization of woody waste from wood industry, crop wastes and agro-industrial residues on the one hand and seasonal plants which can be especially cultivated for this purpose on the other hand. These panels are subject of importation in continuous increase in Africa. The aim of this study is to obtain with local biomaterials, efficient flat composites which can be used as substitute of sawlog in furnishing and building works. Two categories of vegetable material were used: core of Hibiscus cannabinus as fibrous material and tannin based organs as Parkia biglobosa’s pod, Pithecellobium dulce’s stems bark and Sorghum caudatum’s foliar sheat as binding material. Mechanical properties of the panels obtained were measured according to European standards. The results obtained varied from 372 to 1 100 MPa for bending elasticity, from 2 to 5.7 MPa for bending strength and from 0.06 to 0.46 MPa for internal bound strength. Most of the values were in conformity with the American standards ANSI A208.1, 1993.

Key words:  Particleboards – Tannin - bending strength - Internal Bond strength.