Manufacturing particleboard from eastern redcedar

This study is an attempt to investigate the use of eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) in a whole-tree chipping process to manufacture a commercial single-layer particleboard. Red cedar chips with and without foliage were used to manufacture 36 experimental particleboard panels with two density levels. The panels were tested for mechanical strength and dimensional stability properties according to the procedures defined by ASTM D-1037. Average modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture values for static bending, internal bond strength, and thickness swelling tests were found to be comparable to those of commercial particleboards manufactured from different species. Panel properties, with the exception of internal bond strength, from the two types of chips were not statistically different at the 95 percent confidence level. Panels made with foliage had 13 percent lower internal bond strength values than those of panels made without foliage. Based on the findings in this study, it appears that whole-tree chipped eastern red cedar can be used to manufacture particleboard without having any adverse influence on panel properties.

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