AJ Anifowose, L Lajide, SH Awojide and KA Fayemiwo
Keywords: Plantain, peels, particleboard, resin, cement.
Abstract: In this study, natural resin from dry, ground peels of unripe plantain were extracted with benzene/ethanol (2:1). This was employed as binder as well as co-binder with cement in the production of particleboards. Boards C (ratio 3:2:0 of sawdust:resin:cement by weight), A (ratio 3:1:1 of sawdust:resin: cement by weight) and B (ratio 3:0:2 of sawdust:resin:cement by weight) were all produced, while B serve as control. Board C exhibited least density (0.38 gcm- 3), while B had highest (1.05 gcm-3). There appeared better physical properties for board A (water absorption - WA, thickness swelling - TS, linear expansion - LE and abrasion – ABS - values of 15.51%, 3.82%, 4.42% and 0.79% respectively) than B and C. However, the mechanical properties of board B appeared better than that of A as its modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) were higher, though board A still had significant MOR and MOE values of 2.02 Nmm-2 and 2131.40 Nmm-2 respectively. The MOR and MOE tests on board C failed due to its lack of load-bearing capacity, though with least value of LE. The reduced density and improved physical qualities of board A exposed the extracted resin as a good potential binder if more research is geared towards developing its binding capacity. Infrared spectroscopy showed O-H and C=O bonds on the resin, while its chemical interaction with the cement reduced the functional group to C=O bond.
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