Over the years, the wood-based panel industry has faced significant challenges due to the increasing demand for raw wood materials in construction (Hua et al., 2022). This issue is particularly pressing for countries with limited forest resources. As a result, deforestation has become a widespread man-made activity aimed at meeting this heightened demand for raw wood (Sarangi et al., 2023). Deforestation is one of the primary contributors to global warming and climate change, which has drawn the attention of production sectors to address this pressing matter. This situation has also motivated researchers to explore the viability of using plant fibers, specifically from Ananas comosus (pineapple), which are often discarded in public markets, as a primary material for producing fiber-based plyboard. This study aimed to recognize the need for sustainable options in the production sector, and to aid the large-scale demand for construction products like plyboard.
What are the qualities and characteristics of pineapple (Ananas comosus) fibers?
What are the potential uses of plyboard in the construction industry?
What is the characteristic of the plyboard in terms of:
3.1 durability;
3.2 flexibility;
3.3 hardness;
3.4 structural integrity;
3.5 flammability;
3.4 texture; and
3.5 water saturation?
Is there a significant difference in the quality of the plyboard when using:
4.1 epoxy resin;
4.2 natural adhesive; and
4.3 wood glue?
Experimental research design is a scientific approach researchers use to establish cause-and-effect relationships between various variables. This method involves manipulating one or more independent variables while observing their effects on dependent variables, all while controlling for extraneous factors (Bevans, 2023).
This study aims to explore the potential of using pineapple fibers (Ananas comosus) as an eco-friendly alternative to wood in producing plywood. Deforestation poses significant environmental and sustainability challenges, and this study seeks to address these issues by creating a prototype that evaluates the properties of plywood made from pineapple fibers. Additionally, the study considers the limited selection of raw materials available. By utilizing plant-based fibers, the research assesses both the cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits of this alternative material. The experimental design focuses on evaluating the mechanical properties of the plywood (McCance et al., 2021).
Characteristics of Ananas comosus (pineapple fibers)
Utilizing pineapple fibers highlights the importance of maximizing the potential of sustainable alternatives in the wood industry. Because of pineapple fibers’ natural strength and flexibility, it not only performed well in durability and quality of the plyboard but also promoted the use of renewable resources. Upon observation, the pineapple fibers demonstrated excellent quality and mixability with all three adhesives. It has a good tensile strength making it suitable for strengthening the plyboard.
Potential uses of the plyboard
The results presented ratings for each quality to determine the most applicable and effective plyboard. Among the three prototypes, the one using epoxy resin showed the best durability and strength, making it suitable for structural support. In contrast, wood glue and natural adhesive are more appropriate for decorative purposes.
Characteristics of the Plyboard
In testing the characteristics of the plyboard with different adhesives, the data revealed that there is a significant difference in the quality of the plyboard depending on the type of adhesive used. The prototype that used epoxy resin performed the best among the three.
Difference of Adhesives
In testing the assessment factors particularly for the adhesive amount, drying time, pressure, and finish, wood glue and natural adhesive was rated average while epoxy resin was considered the most effective due to its fast drying time and pressure resistance.
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