ABSTRACT

Rice husk, saw dusk and cassava modified starch were obtain, processed, or crushed into uniform size (2mm). investigation into the properties of the modified starch showed that the pot tile, swelling power and solubility were 1111(1 to be 96 hours, I 4.62% and 43.I3% respectivelv. The Saw dust (SI)). Rice husk (RI-I) and a mixture oF both were binded using modified starch at ratio (I: I and 1:2) at two (2) dilTh rent starch temperatures oF 60°C and I 00k' (Ii and T2) respectively, compacted at 23549.34N/m2and 23 I 95.59 N/ui2(P1 and P2) pressure Using a locally l'ibricaled manually compactor and 24 particleboards samples were produccd (A---X). then dried at oven temperature oF 105°C. The physical and mechanical properties of the hoard were determined in compliance with Japanese Industrial Standard (J IS) and American National Standard in particleboaid. Moisture Content (MC), Density (D), Swollen Thickness (Si), Waler Absorption (WA), l-Iardness (I-I), Compressive Strength (CS), Modulus oF Rupture (MOR) were determined. The Modulus oF Rupture was between 2.11- 3. 19 N/mm2lor saw dust board, I .93. I 8N/mm2For rice husk and I .92-3.00 N/mm2for the mixture. The compressive strength ranged from 6.86- 14.71 N/mm2For SD and RI-I board while mixture was 7.89-I 2.91 N/mm2For the mixture. The I-lardness lest gave 88.01-119.67 kg/mm2. 86.70-I I 8.50 kg/mm2and 90.03-118.72 kg/mm2For SD. RFI and mixture respectively. All the particlehoard had very high Swollen Thickness and Water Absorption rate and should be only br indoor purposes. B,F,T and X posses the best mechanical properties. while the best particlehoards was at the mixture oF 1:2:2 oF SD, RI-I and modilied starch (sample X).