Effect of silvicultural practice and wood type on loblolly pine particleboard and medium density fiberboard properties

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of five different s ilvicultural strategies and wood type on mechanical and physical properties of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) particleboard and fiberboard. The furnis h was prepared in an unconventional manner from innerwood and outerwood ven eer for each stand. Modulus of rupture (MOR) differences between the stands were insignificant for particleboard. Some significant modulus of elastici ty (MOE) differences existed between the stands for particleboard and fiber board. Differences between the wood types were minimal for each stand. Inne rwood yielded higher mean MOR, MOE, and internal bond (IB) values than oute rwood for most of the stands. The differences between the stand and wood ty pes for 2 and 24h thickness swell and 2 and 24h water adsorption were very minimal. This research has shown that innerwood can produce particleboard a nd fiberboard panels with very comparable mechanical and physical propertie s to outerwood. The effect of the silvicultural strategy (i. e., stand) was minimal for most properties.