Fig. 7. Scanning electron micrographs of cross section of particleboard made from
different treated particles.
(a) TG curve of untreated panels
(b) DTG curve of untreated panels
(c) TG curve of treated panels with hot water
(d) DTG curve of treated panels with hot water
(e) TG curve of treated panels with NaOH
(f) DTG curve of treated panels with NaOH
Fig. 8. Thermogravimetric (TG) and Derivative Thermogravimetric (DTG) curves of manufactured panels.
3.6. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
The decomposition or the total weight loss and thermal stability
between untreated and treated particles were determined by
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Fig. 8(a, c and e) shows the
TGA curve and its derivative DTG (Fig. 8b, d and f) for untreated
and treated panels. The onset of weight loss was recorded at
about 95.25 C, 94.89 C and 95.66 C for untreated, hot water
and NaOH treated panels, respectively. According to DTG curve,
the maximum decomposition temperature was indicated at
347.16 C, 362.94 C and 308.04 C for untreated, hot water and
NaOH treated panels, respectively. The other peak occurred for
derivative for NaOH particles. According to Ibrahim et al. [18]
this peak may appear due to the presence of alkali impurities
that occur after treatment with NaOH. This analysis showed that
the sample made from hot water treated particles had higher
thermal stability when compared to untreated and NaOH treated
panels.