Development and production of laboratory scale novel MDF panels from composite and nonwoven mattresses of sisal and wood fibre mixtures

The advent of synthetic fibrous materials has seriously affected the sisal industry (Agave sisalana) all over the world in terms of production and export. The possibility of mixing sisal and wood fibres to produce novel medium density fibreboard (MDF) is one of a number of new uses for sisal being investigated in order to address this problem. Various lengths of sisal fibres were mixed with wood fibres in ratios of 10:90 and 5:95 sisal to wood fibres to produce composite mattresses, pressed into MDF panels. The nonwoven mattress, which is a network of fibres of different lengths characterised by increased interlocking and presence of more non-horizontal fibres, was formed with a laboratory needleloom machine. Modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and internal bond (IB) properties of these novel MDF panels were compared to those of standard MDF panels produced under the same conditions and used as a control. Results obtained showed that sisal fibres can be mixed with wood fibres to produce novel MDF panels with improved physical and mechanical properties. The amount of sisal had a significant effect on panel properties but the sisal length showed little effect. Generally, nonwoven MDF panels produced from mixtures of sisal and wood fibres showed better dimensional and mechanical properties compared with composite MDF panels from mixtures of sisal and wood fibres mattresses and the standard MDF panels.