Monteiro, S., Nunes, L., Martins, J., Magalhães, F.D. & Carvalho, L.H. (2020) Low-density cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) particleboards bound with potato starch-based adhesive.
Polymers, 12(8), 1799. DOI:10.3390/polym12081799 (IF2020 4,329; Q1 Polymer Science)In the present work, and for the first time, totally biosourced low-density particleboards were produced using cardoon particles (a no added value by-product from the Portuguese cheese making industry), bound with a potato starch adhesive. Different starch/cardoon ratios (0.6, 0.8, 1 and 1.2) were tested and the effect of different bio-based additives (chitosan, wood fiber and glycerol) on the performance of the adhesive system was evaluated. The best result was obtained for a formulation with a starch/cardoon mass ratio of 0.8, a chitosan/starch mass ratio of 0.05 and a water/starch mass ratio of 1.75. The particleboards produced had a density of 323 kg·m−3, internal bond strength of 0.35 N·mm−2 and thickness swelling of 15.2%. The values of density and internal bond strength meet the standard requirements of general-purpose lightweight boards for use in dry conditions according to CEN/TS 16368 specification. Moreover, the susceptibility of the formulations with best results was established against subterranean termites and one decay fungi.
