ABSTRACT
Low density particle boards were produced locally from five different agricultural wastes, (rice husk, maize cob, sawdust, groundnut shell, and coconut shell) by the flat platen pressed method using gum arabic as the binding agent. The investigation aimed at establishing the optimal mass ratios of the components order to assess their potential for use as particle-boards. Conditions for suitable processing of the waste products were investigated at a temperature range of 120�c to 160�c, pressure range of 3.ON/mm2 to 4N/mm2 and pressing time from 5 minutes to 15 minutes. The results show that the particle boards were very sensitive to the processing conditions. At pressing times above 5 minutes, increase in processing temperature beyond 160�c and pressure below 4N/mm , respectively, do not follow processing of the furnish into particle boards. Consequently, conditions for optimal processing of the waste furnishes into boards may be set at temperature range of 120�c to 160�c, pressing time ranging from 5 minutes to 15 minutes and pressure at 4N/mm2. Mechanical analysis of the boards shows that pure coconut shell boards had higher strength properties than its combinations, while maize cob and rice husk combinations were better than pure maize cob and rice husk boards respectively. Their mechanical properties compared favourably with the literature values. Further work on formulation is required to make the gum arabic bonded particle boards universally applicable and useful.