Effects of board density on the properties of hybrid particleboard from kemenyan wood and belangke bamboo

North Sumatra has several types of local plants with the potential to be developed as raw materials in the manufacture of particleboard, such as kemenyan wood and belangke bamboo. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effects of density on the physical and mechanical properties of particleboard made from belangke bamboo strands and kemenyan wood shavings. The products obtained had a 25x25 cm2 size with a target thickness of 1 cm and density of 0.50 g/cm3 (Type A), 0.60 g/cm3 (Type B), and 0.70 g/cm3 (Type C). Particleboard consisted of three layers, including face, core, and back with a ratio of 1:2:1. The face and back were produced using belangke bamboo strands, while the core was made from kemenyan wood shavings. Subsequently, the pressing process was carried out using a hot press at 160°C, with a press time and pressure of 5 minutes and 30 kg/cm2, respectively. The conditioning process was then conducted for 14 days at room temperature, followed by the cutting of the test sample in line with the procedures outlined in JIS A 5908-2003. The results showed that density of particleboard affected the physical and mechanical properties. In addition, the variable had a negative correlation with the parameters of moisture content (MC), water absorption (WA), and thickness swelling (TS) as well as a positive correlation with modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and internal bond (IB). The results also revealed that density value, MC, WA, and TS of the product ranged from 0.45 to 0.65g/cm3, 9.62 to11.72 %, 73.95 to 118.92%, and 16.81 to 22.61%, respectively. In terms of mechanical properties, MOE, MOR, and IB ranged from 22.414 to 44.848 kg/cm2, 178.97 to 226.21 kg/cm2, and 1.46 to 3.11 kg/cm2, respectively. Therefore, the parameters tested met JIS A5908-2003 standards except for TS of the board.