Flax and Hemp fiber-reinforced particleboard

The objective of this study was to reinforce particleboard products with natural bast fibers which have high tensile strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios. Three-layered particleboards were manufactured from Wood, Hurd and Shive particle furnish and reinforced in the upper and lower face layers with aligned Flax and Hemp fiber mats. Control particleboard samples were manufactured from 100% Wood, Hurd and Shive furnish for comparison purposes. Mechanical and physical strength properties were conducted according to ASTM D1037-6a and ANSI standards for medium density particleboard. Compared with 100% Wood, Hurd and Shive particleboards the bending strength properties of the fiber-reinforced particleboards were significantly (p = 0.0158, p