Performance of Brutian Pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) Particles Modified with NaOH in Board Production

In this study, particles from brutian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) were soaked in 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1% NaOH solutions. The changes in the chemical and thermal properties of the particles caused by these treatments were indicated and the effects of these treatments on the physical and mechanical properties of the produced boards were evaluated. Main chemical component and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis showed that the extractive, hemicellulose and lignin content of the particles decreased during the alkali treatments, while the cellulose content increased. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that the particles treated with NaOH solutions exhibited lower thermal stability than the untreated particles. Alkali treatments caused water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) increase of the produced particleboards. The mechanical properties of the produced particleboards were improved by alkali treatments. The modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and internal bond (IB) strength values of the produced particleboards met the requirements for general-purpose particleboards used in dry conditions, as defined by the TS-EN 312 (2012) standard