Development of particle boards from vetiver grass | |
| Author | Surak Panichnava |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.ST-02-10 |
| Subject(s) | Particle board Vetiver |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering. |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The purpose of this study is to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of the particle board make from vetiver grass and adhesive material base on locally available materials. Three difference base materials of adhesive having difference content are experimental investigated to determine the optimum mix proportion to make the vetiver grass boards. The vetiver grass is cut into short lengths of 20 and 30 mm. and is used as fiber in making boards. The fabrication method used is simple and bases on appropriate technology. The results show that the polyvinyl acetate based adhesive is a more suitable binder for making vetiver grass board than urea formaldehyde and corn starch based adhesive, respectively. The polyvinyl acetate and related polymer, at 34% to dry weight of vetiver grass chips, provides the highest modulus of rupture and modulus of toughness. However, the highest modulus of resilience is obtained when uses the polyvinyl acetate and related polymer at 29% to dry weight of vetiver grass chips. When the vetiver grass boards are fabricated using 30 mm. fiber length instead of 20 mm., they increase the modulus of rupture and modulus of toughness in all base adhesives. The vetiver grass boards have high water absorption and thickness swelling; therefore they are not waterproof. Thus, its use is limited. The vetiver grass boards when fabricate from urea formaldehyde based adhesive give the highest price, which corn starch based adhesive give the cheapest price. The cost of polyvinyl acetate based adhesive is slightly higher than corn starch based adhesive. Moreover, the cost per square meter of particle board, making from polyvinyl acetate and related polymer, at 34% to dry weight of vetiver grass chips, is 61 baths. This is about 40% lower than bagasse boards, which is available commercially. |
| Year | 2002 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Structural Engineering (STE) /Former Name = Structural Engineering and Construction (ST) |
| Chairperson(s) | Pichai Nimityongskul; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai;Pennung Warnitchai; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2002 |