Properties of Medium Density Fiberboard Made from Wet and Dry Stored Bagasse

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) was produced using moist depithed bagasse stored dry or wet. The duration of storage for either method varied between ۰ to ۴ months. Two steaming temperatures of ۱۷۵C and ۱۸۵C were also used. MDF boards were produced in the laboratory and the common mechanical and physical properties were measured and compared. Results showed that an increased steaming temperature and storage time (especially for the wet storage method) have negative effects on the mechanical properties and positive effects on the physical properties (water absorption and Thickness swell). The mechanical properties of boards produced from bagasse as received (fresh bagasse) and at a steaming temperature of ۱۷۵C were superior to others. The modulus of Rupture (MOR), Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) and Internal Bond (IB) of boards from fresh ba-gasse were ۲۹.۷ MPa., ۳,۱۲۷ MPa., and ۰.۵۲ MPa. respectively. However, the physical properties of boards produced from bagasse after ۳ months’ wet storage and a steaming temperature of ۱۸۵oC were superior, and were measured at ۴۴.۳% and ۶۳.۹% for water absorption after two and ۲۴ hours’ immersion (WA۲, WA۲۴ ), and ۱۱.۵% and ۱۷.۶% for Thickness Swelling after two and ۲۴ hours immersion (TS۲, TS۲۴ ) respectively.