The present work aims to motivate the application of agro-industrial residue in the
production of particleboards, involving the production of a new product with a
sustainable nature. The study focuses on the use of andiroba cake extraction, a by
product obtained after removing the oil from the fruit seeds, which has no viable
destination. Mercerization was applied to improve the adhesion of the destruction
particles to the polymer. Polyurethane resin derived from castor oil was chosen for its
good performance as a polymeric matrix and partially sustainable nature. Five types of
panels were produced via thermal pressing, using treatment treated with 5% sodium
hydroxide (NaOH), varying the resin weight proportion (15, 20 and 25%) and
processing temperature (110, 120 and 130 ºC), in order to evaluate the influence of
these processing parameters on the physical-mechanical properties of the composites.
The untreated and treated residues were characterized via X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The properties of the panels were
evaluated through physical (Swelling and Density), mechanical (Three-point Bending)
and morphological (SEM - Scanning Electron Microscopy) characterizations. XRD
results indicate that NaOH treatment slightly increased the crystalline index, but may
not have been completely effective in removing non-cellulosic components. Analysis
of FTIR spectra corroborated with these observations, showing only small changes in
the functional groups after treatment. The particleboards presented good physical
properties, with a low swelling percentage, due to the hydrophobic nature of the resin
and the high content of residual oil in the waste. Regarding the influence of processing
parameters, panels with a higher resin proportion and higher pressing temperature
during processing had higher nominal density values, as well as a more uniform and
regular surface (as shown in the SEM micrographs), which suggests that these
parameters result in greater densification. Furthermore, panels with higher resin
concentrations and temperatures had better mechanical performance.
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