VALORIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL RESIDUES BY ELABORATION AND PHYSICO-MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF CORN COB PARTICLEBOARDS

Among all agricultural residues, corncobs have been underutilized until now. This study aims to valorize them as agro-materials for manufacturing particleboards using either tannic powder from Parkia biglobosa pod husks or bone glue in pearl form. The methodology is divided into two parts: panel production and characterization of the mechanical and physical properties of the resulting panels. For particleboard manufacturing, we used bone glue and tannic powder from Parkia biglobosa pod husks as binders, varying their proportions and the particle size of the corncobs. To determine the mechanical and physical properties, the panels were subjected to three-point bending, tensile, and water swelling tests. The bending test allowed the determination of the modulus of elasticity (MOE), ranging from 77.3 MPa to 186.74 MPa, and the modulus of rupture, ranging from 1.8 MPa to 3.42 MPa. In tension, the determined Young's modulus varied from 7.12 MPa to 13.65 MPa, and the modulus of rupture (MOT) ranged from 0.38 MPa to 9.01 MPa. Density measurements classified the corn cob panels as low- and medium-density categories. The swelling test revealed that the panels can only be used in dry environments. Notably, an increase in binder content improved the physical and mechanical properties of the panels for both types of glue used. The optimal binder content range was determined to be 10% to 15%. Particle size variation also influenced panel properties, with particle size ≤ 0.8 mm yielding the best results. A comparative study between the two types of binders showed that panels made with bone glue exhibited superior characteristics. This work demonstrates the potential of utilizing corn cob agricultural residues in the production of particleboards.