Lignocellulosic Composites from Acetylated Sunflower Stalks

Sunflower stalks could be an alternative raw material for use in the particleboard industry since the requirements of P1 general purpose boards for use in dry conditions and P2 boards for interior fitment for use in dry conditions are easily satisfied. Acetylation of sunflower stalks is found to greatly improve the thickness swelling (TS) value, with acetylated boards showing 19.7% weight gain, meeting the TS requirements of P3 Non-Load-Bearing-Humid and P4 Load Bearing-Dry criteria; however, acetylation adversely affects the internal bond strength (IBS). It is suggested that combinations of industrial wood chips with sunflower raw material may be used for the overall improvement performance of the particleboards.