Characterisation of thermal, mechanical, and acoustic properties of industrial particleboard from non-food agricultural by-products: durian and mangosteen peels
摘要
The utilisation of non-food and non-feed agricultural by-products, such as durian and mangosteen peels, presents a sustainable approach to developing particleboard materials with potential environmental benefits. This study investigates the feasibility of using these wastes for particleboard production, focusing on evaluating their water absorption, flexural strength, thermal conductivity, sound absorption coefficient, and noise reduction coefficient (NRC). Particleboards were fabricated in dimensions of 200 mm × 200 mm using a hot press machine at 120 °C and a pressure of 8 kg/cm2. Standardised tests, including ASTM C518-10 for thermal conductivity and TIS 1427–2540 for water absorption and flexural strength, were employed to assess the performance of the manufactured boards. Results revealed thermal conductivity values of 0.079 W/m K for durian peel boards and 0.09 W/m K for mangosteen peel boards, aligning closely with wood and other agricultural materials’ potential as insulating materials. While mangosteen peel boards met the Thai standard for water absorption with a rate of ≤ 37%, durian peel boards exhibited a higher rate of 99.69%, suggesting areas for future optimisation. Both materials met the flexural strength requirements of TIS 1427–2540, with values of 7.83 MPa and 7.08 MPa, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of mangosteen peels for industrial applications, as they exhibit physical and mechanical properties that make them promising substitutes for traditional materials. However, future research should focus on exploring strategies to enhance the water resistance of durian peel boards to ensure compliance with industry moisture standards. This contributes to waste valorisation and offers a sustainable alternative to conventional wood-based particleboards.