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Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

DOI

10.3906/tar-0902-26

Abstract

Corn stalk is a renewable natural resource that currently has limited industrial utilization. The objective of this study was to examine some chemical properties of corn stalk (holocellulose, \alpha-cellulose, lignin and ash content, alcohol-benzene, hot and cold water solubility, and solubility in dilute alkali [1% NaOH]) and to evaluate its suitability for medium-density fiberboard (MDF) production. Panels were produced using mixtures of corn stalk (Zea mays indurata Sturt.) and pine (Turkish Pinus nigra) fibers in various proportions (from 0% to 100%). The panels produced had density levels of 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 g cm^{-3}. The physical and mechanical properties of the manufactured panels were tested. Chemical analysis shows that the holocellulose, \alpha-cellulose, and lignin content of corn stalk was similar to that of wood and some other crop residues. The ash content of corn stalk was higher than that of soft- and hardwoods. Mechanical test results indicate that the panels produced utilizing solely corn stalk met the required standards, except the panels with a density of 0.6 g cm^{-3}. Increasing the pine fiber ratio in the panel mixture improved panel properties.

Keywords

Corn stalk, Turkish black pine, medium density fiberboard, chemical composition, fiber properties, physical and mechanical properties

First Page

197

Last Page

206

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