LAUSR

Abstract Commercial binders based on formaldehyde are the main adhesive to produce particleboards, however, these binders are harmful to human health and the environment. In this scenario, alternative binders are a possibility to reduce the formaldehyde content in the particleboards. Therefore, the focus of this original scientific study is to explore the thermal, physical and mechanical properties of particleboards produced with natural rubber latex as a potential polymeric binder. Bagasse-latex particleboard (BLP) with nominal density of 800 kg/m3, with different latex content: 28% (BLP-28), 42% (BLP-42) and 56% (BLP-56) by mass were evaluated. The quality of the particleboards produced was assessed by determining their thermal, physical and mechanical properties. The formation process of interfacial structure between sugarcane bagasse and latex was observed, configuring the adhesion of the two phases. The thermal conductivity of all the particleboard formulations showed attractive performance as thermal insulating material, considering that these are medium to high nominal density particleboards. According to physical tests, higher latex contents in the particleboard did not affect the density, however, it created a binder protection against water absorption. Contrarily, an increase in the latex content (as in BLP-56 formulation) did not cause increase in the mechanical properties under flexural loading. The BLP-42 particleboards performed better mechanically based on modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) with average values of 6.32 MPa and 1275 MPa, respectively. These results indicated the potential use of latex natural rubber as an alternative to produce insulation particleboards in civil construction.