Some mechanical properties; modulus of rupture (MOR)[18],
modulus of elasticity (MOE)[18] and internal bond strength (IB)
[20] and physical properties; thickness swelling (TS) and water
absorption (WA)[19]were determined for the produced particle-boards. The average of 10 and 20 measurements were reported
for mechanical and physical properties respectively. The formalde-hyde emission of the samples was measured according to the EN
717-3 standard[5]. Six sheets of test pieces (with dimensions of
162525 mm) were clamped 40 mm above water level using
a plastic support in a 500-ml polyethylene bottle containing
50 ml of distilled water. The flask containing the specimens was
loaded in the oven at 40C for 180 min. Formaldehyde released
from the specimens was absorbed by the distilled water, which
was subsequently used as the sample solution. The formaldehyde
concentration in the sample solution was determined usingacetylacetone–ammonium acetate solution and the acetylacetone
method, with colorimetric detection at 412 nm. The data obtained
was statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) be-sides, Duncan’s grouping was included.