Effects of density and resin content on the physical and mechanical properties of scrimber manufactured from mulberry branches

The silk industry in China produces a large amount of mulberry branches as by-product every year. Mulberry branches have high longitudinal toughness and good overall mechanical properties. However, these branches are incinerated because their utility in other industries is limited by their small size. This study determines the feasibility of manufacturing scrimber from mulberry branches by using cold pressing method, followed by thermo-curing with different densities and resin contents. Results show that density [ranging from (0.81–1.24) g/cm3] exerts a greater effect on the shear strength, modulus of rupture (MOR), and modulus of elasticity (MOE) than resin content (changing from 8 to 20 %). The increase rate slows down when the density exceeds 1.1 g/cm3 and the resin content reaches more than 12 %. The strength-to-weight ratio analysis shows that the MOR/density and MOE/density maximum at 1.02–1.10 g/cm3. The density and resin contents of mulberry scrimber with cold compress and heat setting can be set to 1.0–1.1 g/cm3 and at approximately 12 %, respectively. The mechanical properties of the product meet the maximum requirement indicated in the Chinese national standard for construction. Mulberry scrimber can be a very promising supplement for wood because of its good performance, abundant supply, and renewability.