Mechanical Properties of Particleboards Manufactured with Schizolobium amazonicum and Castor oil Based Polyurethane Resin: Influence of Proportion Polyol/Pre-Polymer

With a worldwide trend looking for biodegradable materials, non-polluting and biomass products, the Castor oil based polyurethane resin is an alternative to formaldehyde based resins. The Castor oil based polyurethane resin is bicomponent type, formed from a polyol component derived from the castor beans (Ricinus comunalis) and a pre-polymer resin. The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of castor-oil based polyurethane resin formulation (particularly proportion of pre-polymer/polyol) in static bending properties (modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture) of particleboards produced with Parica (Schizolobium amazonicum) wood specie. Four proportions of components (polyol/pre-polymer) were evaluated: 0.75:1; 1:1; 1:1.25 and 1:1.5. Results showed significant improvements in the modulus of elasticity with increasing the pre-polymer component. Modulus of rupture property was not affected significantly by the different proportions of the components of the resin, providing equivalent results. The proportion of 1:1 (polyol/pre-polymer) could be considered the best solution for delivering better mechanical performance and use the least amount of the derivative component of the petroleum.