Abstract
The objective of this work was to evaluate some of the important physical and mechanical properties of experimental oriented strandboard panels manufactured from four different cultivars of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) fronds. Currently date fronds are considered as waste and under-utilized. Open burning and landfill are common practices for such resources. Therefore experimental panels were manufactured from strands washed with water to determine the effect of such treatment on panel properties. Bending characteristics, internal bond strength, thickness swelling, water absorption, and linear expansion along and across the grain orientations of the samples were tested. Based on the findings in this work, the internal bond strength values of the samples were found to be satisfactory. However, the samples manufactured from water-soaked strands had lower mechanical and physical properties as compared to those made from unwashed material. Water treatment also adversely influenced dimensional stability, namely thickness swelling, water absorption, and linear expansion of the samples. It appears that untreated date palm fronds as underutilized resource show promise sustainable raw material for the manufacture of oriented strandboard panels, but further research is required to maximize their potential.