Properties of orchard pruning and suitability for composite production

Abstract Apple and cherry pruning with red pinewood particles in various proportions were used as the raw material for the experimental particleboard manufacturing in laboratory conditions. The results showed that there were no considerable differences in the main chemical constituents of carbohydrate and lignin content, although there were some differences found for extractives that are considerably higher for both cherry and apple pruning. The mean modulus of rupture values of boards were found to ranged from 12.4 to 18.48 MPa. These indicated that all the boards, except for the board type F (prepared from 100% apple pruning), met the minimum bending strength required in standard for general-purpose particleboards. The modulus of elasticity and internal bond of the experimental particleboards usually decreased as red pinewood particle content decreases in proportion. However, all the boards produced in this study met the minimum modulus of elasticity, internal bond, and surface strength required in standard for general-purpose particleboards. However, the thickness swelling for 24 h was considerably higher than the required in standard value of 14% for all boards.