MANUFACTURING OF PARALLEL STRAND LUMBER (PSL) FROM ROTARY PEELED HYBRID POPLAR I-214 VENEERS WITH PHENOL FORMALDEHYDE AND UREA FORMALDEHYDE ADHESIVES

Hybrid poplars are becoming an alternative raw material for structural applications due to their availability, treatability and prices. Advance technology of structural composite lumber (Laminated veneer lumber, laminated strand lumber and parallel strand lumber) manufacturing process may use hybrid poplar more efficiently. Parallel strand lumbers (PSLs) were manufactured from rotary peeled hybrid poplar I-214 veneers with phenol formaldehyde (PF) and urea formaldehyde (UF) adhesives. The effect of adhesive types on selected PSLs physical and mechanical properties were investigated. Also the suitability of hybrid poplar I-214 was determined in PSLs' production. The physical and mechanical properties of PSLs' were affected by adhesive type. PSLs' with PF adhesives have better physical and mechanical properties as expected due to PF adhesives superior performance. PSLs' mechanical properties were higher than that of host solid woods'. Hybrid poplar I-214 was found to be suitable for the PSL production. The research is aimed to provide scientific data for PSLs' use in exterior and interior use for structural applications.