Repositori URV

Identifier: TDX:1144

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX1144

Authors:
Ramos Romero, Diego

Abstract:
This work studies the parameters for obtaining binderless fiberboards from lignocelullosic materials such as giant reed (Arundodonax L.) and sugar cane bagasse (Saccharumofficinarum L.) The suggested boards havethe advantage of being free from formaldehyde emissions and of not consuming fossil resources. Both properties are important in a market that is increasingly sensitivetowards environmental issues. Wild reeds from Tarragona were used as the base material to make Arundodonax Lfiberboards. The Saccharumoffinarumsugar cane bagasse was anindustrial byproduct obtained from a plantation on the island ofLa Palma in the Canary Islands (DestileríasAldea SL). The raw material was pre-treated by performing a “steam explosion” in a “batch” reactor. The exploded material was ground and cold-pressed in two ways (wet and dry). Subsequently, the cold-pressed boards, which had beenconditioned at a constant temperature and RH, were hot-pressed at different levels of pressure, temperature and press time. Some of the processes for producing boards on a laboratory-scale,such as pressing withsteam evacuation meshes, have been improved. Others processes were specifically developed in the laboratory, including the incorporation of cold-pressing and the final heat treatment after hot-forming. The aim of all this was to achieve high mechanical performance in boards made from these materials. Different factors involved in the production of the boards were studied (severity of pretreatment, pressing temperature, pressing pressure and pressing time) to determine how they affectthe physical and mechanical properties of these boards (density, MOE, MOR, IB, TS and WA). As a result, the mathematical relationships that link these production factors to the physical and mechanical propert