Particleboard from waste tea leaves and wood particles

The study investigated the use of waste tea ( Camellia sinensis) leaves mixed in various proportions with Paraserianthes falcataria (moluccan sau) wood particles for the manufacture of particleboard. Boards containing waste tea leaves alone showed low thickness swelling and water absorption after 24 h soaking in water. Addition of P. falcataria wood particles from 20% to 50% to waste tea leaves resulted in boards with satisfactory thickness swelling, water absorption, internal bond, stiffness, and strength well above the minimum requirements for general use particleboards set by EN 312-2 (1996). Results of the study showed that waste tea leaves can be used as an alternative material either alone or in combination with wood particles for the manufacture of particleboard.