Development of boards made from oil palm frond II: properties of binderless boards from steam-exploded fibers of oil palm frond

Binderless boards were prepared from steam-exploded fiber of oil palm(Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) frond at six levels of explosion conditions. Their properties were investigated and evaluated. The mechanical properties (i.e., modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and internal bonding strength) of the boards increased linearly with increasing board density as the usual hardboard. The boards made from fibers treated under a steam explosion condition of 25 kgf/cm2 (steam pressure) and 5 min (digestion period) exhibited the maximum strength. These boards at a density of 1.2 g/cm3 met the requirement of S-20 grade of JIS A 5905 — 1994 (fiberboard). Thickness swelling of the boards ranged from 6% to 14% under the JIS A 5908 — 1994 (particleboard) test condition and showed no significant changes with increasing board density. The main bonding strength of the board is believed to be due to a ligninfurfural linkage. Considering the chemical components of oil palm frond, which is rich in hemicellulose, there seems to be a good possibility for producing binderless boards using steam-exploded fibers of oil palm frond.