Properties of fiberboards produced from kermes oak (Quercus coccifera L.) and brutian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) woods

Abstract

In this study the utilization of kermes oak (Quercus coccifera L.) wood, which could be used as an industrial raw material for theproduction of fiberboard, was investigated. In the experimental design, boards were produced from mixtures of kermes oak and brutianpine (Pinus brutia Ten.) fibers in ratios of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0. The chemical and thermal characteristics of the fibers usedwere determined, and the effects of these characteristics on the physical and mechanical properties of the produced fiberboards wererevealed. The main chemical component analysis indicated that kermes oak fibers contained higher quantities of extractives, α-cellulose,and hemicelluloses and a lower quantity of lignin compared to the brutian pine fibers. Analyses of the main chemical components weresupported by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analyses and gas chromatographic determination of monosaccharides. The pHdetermination showed that kermes oak fibers were more acidic than the brutian pine fibers. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated thatkermes oak fibers had higher thermal stability than brutian pine fibers. An increase in kermes oak in the fiber mixture raised waterabsorption and thickness swelling (TS) but reduced the modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and internal bond(IB) strength of the produced boards. The boards produced with 25% kermes oak fibers met the requirements of standard TS-EN 622-5in terms of TS, MOE, MOR, and IB strength for load-bearing applications in dry conditions.