Mechanical characterization of mixed particleboard panels made of recycled wood and Arundo donax

The giant reed, Arundo donax (A. donax) is a fast and naturally growing species in the Mediterranean Area indicated as one of the 15 invasive species with greatest impact by the European Commission within the Ecosystem Vulnerability Key Actrion. It is a greatly available but non-fully exploited material regarded as a problem both in agriculture and in watercourse management. This study explores the potential use of A. donax as an alternative material in the production of particleboard panels. The research, conducted in collaboration with the industrial sector, evaluates the mechanical and physical properties of sandwich particleboards in which part of the recycled wood chips are replaced with varying percentages of A. donax chips only in the core of the board. The work demonstrates the feasibility of such a board using industrial procedures and the capability of A. donax to improve the physical and mechanical performance of the recycled wood particleboard without altering the production process or adding resin. The particleboards were manufactured in three densities (550, 680 and 750 kg/m³) and tested for thickness swelling, surface soundness, internal bond and bending strength. The results reveal that particleboards containing 20–35 % of A. donax by mass, particularly for high densities, improved mechanical properties and reduced the thickness swelling, meeting the requirements for class P4 particleboards resulting in an upgrade of the wood recycled panel's classification. This investigation highlights the viability of integrating A. donax into particleboard production, potentially reducing reliance on imported wood, improving the mechanical properties of recycled wood particleboards and promoting sustainable and locally sourced materials. • Study of the properties of a Particleboard made up of three layers of Arundo donax and recycled wood. • Adding Arundo donax inside the particleboard improves its properties, particularly for the 20–35 % content. • Arundo chips significantly improve the water-resistance of the particleboard. • Particleboards meet class P4 requirements with 20–35 % Arundo, for the density of the particleboard of 750 kg/m 3 .

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