Properties of Particleboard Produced from Red Pine (Pinus brutia) Chips and Lavender Stems

The usability of lavender stems along with red pine chips was investigated as raw materials in the production of particleboard. Medium-density particleboard was manufactured using urea formaldehyde glue at three different ratios for five different mixture groups containing lavender stems and red pine chips. Some physical and mechanical properties of the boards were investigated. According to the statistical studies of the results, decreasing the ratio of lavender stems between board groups reduced the thickness swelling value. The internal bond strength, bending strength, and elastic modulus values of all board groups (%10-12 glued) were above the minimum values set by the TS-EN-312 standard for general purpose particleboard. According to these results, either lavender stems alone or together with red pine chips are suitable for use as a new raw material for particleboard manufacturing.