Abstract
Preliminary investigations have been undertaken to examine the effects of some processing variables on the physico-mechanical properties of particle board made from maize cob fibres, a by-product from shelled maize crop. Maize cob fibre were used to produce twelve different boards of cement – corn fibre ratio 2:1 and 3:1 at 3 additives level of concentration 1%, 2%, 3% and density of 1000kg/m3 and 1,200kg/m3. The treatments were replicated thrice to produce 36 samples of the particle boards. The physical properties (% thickness swelling and water absorption) and mechanical properties (Impact modulus of rupture and modulus of Elasticity) were determined. The result shows that an increase in cement -maize cob fibre ratio, board density, and additives, reduces the rate of water absorption and thickness of swelling. However, an increase in cement-maize cob ratio, additives concentration and board density increases elasticity. It is then concluded that an increase in all the variables result in a more stable Particle boards produced from maize fibre. The results so far obtained are encouraging as they suggest the possibilities of converting agricultural waste to quality particle boards in Nigeria.
Keywords:Physico-mechanical, particle boards, maize cobs, water absorption, thickness swelling, modulus of rupture , modulus of elasticity.