Effects of guayule resin on structural performance and durability of wood strand-based composites

Effects of guayule resin on mechanical, physical, and biological performance wood strand-based panels were evaluated. Southern yellow pine (Pinus spp. L) strands mixed with phenol formaldehyde (PF) to a target content 5% hot-pressed manufacture panels. A solution was prepared sprayed the immediately after PF different contents 0.5% 1.0%. Specimens cut from treated control subjected tensile, internal bond, water absorption thickness swelling, fungi soil block tests. Guayule had positive effect tensile strength, as specimens showed 8.0% 9.5% increase compared specimens. However, bond strength decreased 5.3% 6.4%, respectively. Water swelling for The fungal decay resistance test indicated little differences in average percent mass loss across untreated composite materials. Regardless or decrease, effects performances not statistically significant.