The Characteristic of Binderless Com-Ply Made from Paraserianthes falcataria

Oxidation treatment to activate the chemical components of wood to be able to produce bond formation between the particles have been successfully applied in the manufacture of binderless particleboard. Produced particleboard has a high internal bond strength, however, it has a low modulus of rupture. To improve the bending strength, addition of veneer layers on both surfaces are needed. This product is called as com-ply. Because of low accessibility of chemical component of veneer layer compared to particles, then the possibility activation of the chemical components of veneer is still questioned. This study was aimed to investigate the possibility application of oxidation treatment to produce com-ply and to determine the optimum oxidant proportion between particles as the core layer and veneer as surfaces layers. Wood species that used to produce both of particle and veneer were sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria). Oxidant levels proportion that used were; 1 : 2, 1 : 3, 1 : 4, 1 : 5, 1 : 6, 1 : 7, and 1 : 0 w/w (veneer : particle). The results showed that the manufacturing of binderless com-ply using oxidation treatment was possible to be applied. Optimum oxidant level proportion between veneer and particle was 1 : 6 w/w. The produced com-ply fulfill the JIS A 5908 2003. (paper)