Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, June, 2018; Vol.

14(2):201-207
Copyright © Faculty of Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Print ISSN: 1596-2490, Electronic ISSN: 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

EVALUATION OF STRENGTH AND SORPTION PROPERTIES OF POLYSTYRENE

BONDED COMPOSITES OF MAHOGANY (KHAYA IVORENSIS) AND TEAK (TECTONA
GRANDIS) WOODS

Adefisan, O.O.
(Department of Wood Products Engineering, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.)
Email Address: femiadefisan@hotmail.com, oo.adefisan@mail.ui.edu.ng

Abstract
The cost of synthetic resin used for composites production is increasing. Low cost durable glue may be
derived from disused polystyrene foams and used in wood composites production. This work therefore
examined the strength and sorption properties of polystyrene bonded composites made from particles of
Mahogany (Khaya ivorensis) and Teak (Tectona grandis). Particles of K. ivorensis and T. grandis were mixed
with polystyrene (PS) glue in ratios 1:1, 2:1, 1:2 and 3:1, and formed into boards. Functional properties of the
PS glue were examined using Fourier Transformed Infrared Radioscopy. Strength and sorption tests were
conducted on specimens in accordance with ASTM standards. The results obtained revealed that the glue
possessed hydroxyl, phenyl and aromatic functional groups that enhanced the strength and stability. The
fabricated boards possessed moderate strength and dimensional stability indicating their use as indoor
insulating components. Increase in the glue content significantly improved the strength and sorption properties
of the composites. Optimum flexural properties were obtained at glue mixing ratio of 2:1.

Keywords: Polystyrene foams, wood composites, Mahogany, Teak

1.0 Introduction
A lot of waste is generated worldwide due to daily human activities. Prominent amongst these are
wood wastes which occur due to poor sawing patterns, lack of expertise of the machine operators,
use of obsolete facilities, etc. and polystyrene foam, a petroleum based polymer of styrene used for
insulation and packaging. While wood wastes are hazardous to the mill, the mill workers, the wood
and the wood products, polystyrene which has a low scrap value is not biodegradable. Therefore,
these items are mostly disposed of in landfills resulting in environmental pollution (Kwon et al.,
2009; Kan and Demirboga, 2009; Ricky et al., 2010). A means of curtailing these deleterious effects
could be in the production of wood polymer composites. Wood Polymer Composites (WPCs)
incorporate wood particles as fillers and reinforcing agents while the polymer acts as matrix. They
are lightweight, environmentally friendly products with increased hardness, improved dimensional
stability, and possess abrasion and decay resistance. They can be integrated in furniture items such as
table tops, cabinet manufacture and in low cost building components such as floor and wall tiles,
ceiling boards etc. (Poletto, 2016).

While wood (fibres or particles) is hydrophilic in nature which may negatively affect the mechanical
properties of the derived composite products, most synthetic resins which are used for bonding wood
composites on the other hand oftentimes emit toxic substances. Incorporation of polystyrene based
resin has been reported to reduce the emission of toxic substances and moisture uptake due to the
hydrophobicity of polystyrene. These properties of polystyrene when incorporated in composite
production may enhance the mechanical properties (Osemeahon and Dimas, 2014). This is more so
since the deployment of polystyrene based resins in the production of polymer composites seems a
sustainable practice of utilizing polystyrene and wood wastes. The effect of polystyrene based resins
on properties of composites products made from Nigerian grown wood species is sparse in literature.
Therefore, this work examined the strength and sorption properties of polystyrene based polymer
composites made from Teak (Tectona grandis) and Mahogany (Khaya ivorensis) wood particles.
Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, June, 2018; Vol. 14(2):201-207.
ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

2.0 Materials and Methods

Wood particles of Teak (Tectona grandis) and Mahogany (khaya ivorensis) were obtained from a
local sawmill in Ibadan while polystyrene foams (PS) were collected within the premises of
University of Ibadan Campus, Oyo State, Nigeria.

2.1 Board Formation and Testing

The particles of the wood species were air-dried for 2-weeks until 10% moisture content was
attained. The dried particles were then sieved with a sieve of size 4.76mm. Particles that passed
through the 4.76mm sieve were collected and used for the board formation. The collected PS were
cleaned, cut into smaller sizes of about 2 x 2 x 5 cm³ and then dissolved in Premium motor spirit
(PMS) in the PS: PMS ratio of 1:2 (w/v) based on the preliminary trails until homogeneous slurry
was formed. Particles of the wood species were mixed with PS-PMS blends in the ratios 1:1, 2:1, 1:2
and 3:1, and formed into a board in a wooden deckle measuring 30 x 30 x 10 cm³. The mat was cold
pressed with a pressure of 3MPa for 30 minutes and then conditioned at room temperature (25 ± 2°)
and at relative humidity of 72% for 14 days.

2.2 Fourier Transform Infrared Radioscopy (FTIR) of the Polystyrene Glue

The functional groups of the PS glue were determined using the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)
machine in accordance with the procedure adapted by Fabiyi et al. (2009). 2mg weight of the dried
glue were homogenized with 200mg of Potassium bromated (KBR) salt. With the aid of hydraulic
press, the powdered mixtures were pelletized in disc form and inserted into the FTIR machine.
Spectrum was taken as an average of 64 scans at a resolution of 4 cm-1.

2.3 Flexural Test

The de-moulded boards were cut to samples sizes according to ASTM standard (D790-07) and tested
on a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) at cross head speed of 2mm/min from which the mechanical
properties i.e. moduli of rupture (MOR) and elasticity (MOE) were evaluated.

2.4 Water Absorption (WA) and Thickness Swelling (TS) Test

Samples of the Teak and Mahogany bonded boards were initially weighed and then soaked in water
at room temperature for 2 hours and then 24, 48 and 72 hours. At the end of the soaking period the
samples were withdrawn from water and allowed to drain before the final weights and thicknesses
were determine. The WA and TS of the wood species were determined as expressions of the initial
weights and thicknesses.
 W W 
W.A. =  2 1  x 100% ……………………..(1)
W
 1 

while the thickness swelling (T.S) was expressed as a percentage of the original thickness as

 T T 
T.S =  2 1  x 100% …………………………(2)
T
 1 

Where:
W1 is the initial weight
W2 is the final weight
T1 is the initial thickness
T2 is the final thickness
Adefisan, Evaluation of Strength and Sorption Properties of Polystyrene Bonded Composites of Mahogany
(Khaya ivorensis) and Teak (Tectona grandis) Woods. AZOJETE, 14(2):169-171 ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN
2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

3.0 Results and Discussion

3.1 The Infrared Radioscopy Analyses
The infrared spectrum of the PS glue showed absorption bands at 3441 cm-1 corresponding to O-H
stretching vibration which indicates the ability of the glue to bond with other substances (Table 1).
The aromatic C-H stretching vibration of which occurred at 3062.85 cm-1 and 3027.62 cm-1 induces
strength and abrasion properties. The saturated C-H vibration occurred at 2921.8 cm-1 while 1677.46
corresponds to the C=C stretching vibration. The peaks at 1600.51, 1600.29 and 1446.40 cm-1 are
assigned to C=C stretching of phenyl group. The C-H deformation vibration band of benzene ring
hydrogen occurred at 754.74 cm-1 and ring deformation was observed at 690.08 cm-1 (Osemeahon
and Dimas 2014)

3.2 Density
The densities of the Mahogany (K. ivorensis) and Teak (T. grandis) composites were between 379.8
and 780.3 kg/m3 and 341.9 and 635.1 kg/m3 respectively (Table 2). These values indicate that the
composites are lightweight / medium weight products. Statistical analyses (Duncan’s multiple range
test) revealed that the mixing ratio and wood species significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected the densities of
the composites (Table 2). Boards bonded with higher mixing ratios of polystyrene recorded
significantly higher densities (Table 2). What this suggests is that increasing the glue content during
board production improved the interfacial bonding between the wood particles. Also, composites
bonded with Mahogany particles had significantly higher densities than those of Teak suggesting
higher strength properties.

Table 1: Infrared bands observed in Polystyrene Glue

S/N Wave number (cm-1) Peak Assignment
1 3441 O-H stretching vibration
2 3062.85 Aromatic C-H stretching vibration
3 3027.62
4 2921.8 Saturated C-H stretching vibration
5 1677.46 C=C stretching vibration
6 1467.04
7 1600.51 C=C stretching vibration of Phenyl group
8 1600.29
9 754.74 C-H stretching Vibration
10 690.08 C-H stretching Vibration

3.3 Mechanical Properties

The results of the flexural tests are shown in Table 2. As shown, the MORs of the Mahogany and
Teak composites ranged from 4.9 to 12.9 N/mm2 and 4.9 to 8.4 N/mm2 respectively. The respective
MOEs were between 1497 and 14,411 N/mm2 and 23,746 and 77,249 N/mm2 respectively. The
MORs obtained in this study were lower than 15.1 to 24.1 N/mm2 recommended by Forest Products
Laboratory (FPL) (Cai and Ross, 2010) and 14.5 to 32 N/mm2 obtained by Kosonen et al., (2000)
and Voulgardis et al., (2003). The recorded MOEs were however comparable with those
recommended by FPL (2,800 – 4,100 N/mm2) and those obtained by Kosonen et al., (2000) and
Voulgardis et al., (2003). The flexural test revealed that the fabricated boards have moderate strength
values and can only be used as insulating components such as ceiling boards and panel products. The

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Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, June, 2018; Vol. 14(2):201-207.
ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

low flexural properties may be attributed to the low density profiles of the fabricated boards.
Generally, boards with higher densities and higher mixing ratio recorded higher MORs and MOEs.
This may be due to the enhanced interfacial bonding between the wood particles with increasing glue
content. Statistical analyses (Duncan’s multiple range test) revealed that the mixing ratio and the
wood species significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected the MORs and MOEs of the composites (Table 3).
Also, composites fabricated with Mahogany particles recorded higher MOR than those of Teak. This
may be possibly due to the higher density profiles of the Mahogany composites in comparison with
those of Teak. As shown in Tables 2 and 3, the deployment of 2:1 mixing ratio in the composites
production seemed to yield the optimum flexural properties.

Table 2: Physical and Flexural Properties of Mahogany and Teak Composites

Mixing ratio Density (Kg/m3) MOR (N/mm2) MOE (N/mm2)
Mahogany Composites
ef
1:1 379.8 (22.1) 4.9g (0.0) 1,497e (385.6)
1:2 368.2ef (6.6) 7.4c (0.04) 3,196de (1138.2)
2:1 570.7c (23.1) 12.9a (0.05) 8,106d (30.1)
3:1 780.3a (12.0) 5.2f (0.03) 14,411c (78.7)

Teak Composites
f
1:1 341.9 (37.7) 4.9g (0.0) 24,847b (2255.9)
1:2 406.8e (3.1) 7.1d (0.02) 28,824b (72.1)
2:1 520.3d (34.4) 8.4b (0.02) 77,249a (7998.6)
3:1 635.1b (41.8) 5.2e (0.01) 23,746b (1679.8)
Means with the same letters and columns are not statistically different
* Significant at 5% level of probability

Table 3: Duncan’s Test of the effect of Wood Species, Glue Type and Mixing Ratio on the Density,
MOR and MOE of Mahogany and Teak Composites
Wood Species Density (kg/m3) MOR (N/mm2) MOE (N/mm2)
Mahogany 524.7a (176.1) 7.6a (3.33) 6,803.0b (526.6)
Teak 476.0b (120.2) 6.4b (1.41) 38,666.0a (2362.7)

Mixing Ratio
1:1 360.9c (34.5) 4.9 d (0.0) 13,17.2 c (1287.0)
1:2 387.5c (21.6) 7.2 b ( 0.14 ) 1,601.0 bc (1405.5)
2:1 545.5b (38.0) 10.6 a (2.47) 4,267.8 a(3820.7)
3:1 707.7a (84.2) 5.4 c (0.18) 1,907.8 b (522.2)
Means with the same Letters and in the columns are not statistically different
* Significant at 5% Probability level

3.4 Sorption Properties

The results of the Water Absorption (WA) and Thickness Swelling (TS) are shown in Tables 4 and 5.
As shown, the WA after 2 h and then 72 h soak in water ranged from 2.2 to 104.5% and 3.8 to 140%
for the Mahogany and Teak composites respectively. The respective TS were 0.5 to 4.9% and 0.3 to
Adefisan, Evaluation of Strength and Sorption Properties of Polystyrene Bonded Composites of Mahogany
(Khaya ivorensis) and Teak (Tectona grandis) Woods. AZOJETE, 14(2):169-171 ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN
2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

5.2%. These values compared favourably with those of Voulgardis et al., (2003). Results of the WA
and TS showed that the composites had high sorption properties and cannot be used in outdoor
applications.
However, statistical analyses (Duncan’s Test, Table 6) revealed that the soaking time, wood species
and mixing ratios significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected the WA of the composites.
Table 4: Water Absorption of Polystyrene Based Mahogany and Teak Composites
Mixing Ratio Water Absorption (%)
2h 24h 48h 72h
Mahogany Composites
fg cde
1:1 61.5 (8.4) 89.8 (19.0) 96.2cd (17.0) 104.5c (10.9)
1:2 49.0g (7.8) 74.0ef (4.4) 78.2e (12.3) 95.7cd (5.7)
2:1 13.2ijklm (2.5) 22.9hij (1.3) 24.8hi (1.2) 30.3h (3.2)
3:1 2.2m (1.0) 4.6klm (0.7) 6.6jklm (0.9) 9.3jklmi (1.4)

Teak Composites
g b
1:1 47.4 (9.1) 122.5 (11.8) 132.7ab (16.3) 140.0a (10.2)
1:2 49.0g (0.3) 75.2ef (0.8) 82.2de (0.9) 97.2cd (1.1)
2:1 21.2hijk (15.0) 48.5g (15.6) 51.0g (14.0) 59.2fg (16.3)
3:1 3.8lm (0.5) 12.0ijklm (4.6) 19.6hijkl (0.8) 25.1hi (1.1)
* Means with the same Letters and in the columns are not statistically different
* Significant at 5% Probability level

Table 5: Thickness Swelling of Polystyrene Based Mahogany and Teak Composites

Mixing Ratio Thickness Swelling (%)
2h 24h 48h 72h
Mahogany Composites
fgh defgh
1:1 0.9 (1.4) 1.8 (2.6) 3.2cdefgh (3.7) 4.8abcde (3.4)
1:2 1.1fgh (0.9) 1.5efgh (1.1) 2.0cdefgh (1.2) 4.1abcdef (3.2)
2:1 4.9abcde (2.3) 5.4abc (2.3) 6.1ab (2.8) 7.1a (2.2)
3:1 0.5gh (0.3) 0.9fgh (0.6) 1.9defgh 0.7) 3.7cdefgh (2.6)

Teak Composites
fgh fgh
1:1 0.8 (0.1) 1.5 (0.07) 1.9defgh (0.01) 4.0abcdefg (0.1)
1:2 1.1fgh (0.5) 2.7cdefgh (0.8) 3.2bcdefgh (1.5) 3.6bcdefgh (1.5)
2:1 1.9cdefgh (1.4) 2.5cdefgh (1.4) 2.8bcdefgh (1.3) 3.7bcdefgh (2.1)
3:1 0.3h (0.2) 1.7efgh (0.7) 3.5bcdefgh (0.9) 5.2abcd (1.0)
*Means with the same Letters and in the columns are not statistically different
*Significant at 5% Probability level

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Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, June, 2018; Vol. 14(2):201-207.
ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

Table 6: Duncan’s Test of the effect of Soaking Time, Mixing Ratio and Wood Species, on the
Sorption Properties of Mahogany and Teak Composites
Soaking Time (h) WA (%) TS (%)
c
2 30.9 (23.2) 1.5c (1.7)
24 56.2b (40.4) 2.2bc (1.8)
48 61.4b (42.4) 3.1b (2.1)
72 70.2a (44.6) 4.5a (2.2)

Mixing Ratio
1:1 82.0b (20.2) 2.7b (2.2)
1:2 90.4a (35.3) 2.0b (1.6)
2:1 37.6c (27.9) 4.4a (2.4)
3:1 11.9d (10.9) 2.2b (1.9)

Wood Species
Mahogany 47.7b (37.4) 3.1a (2.7)
Teak 61.6a (43.0) 2.5a (1.5)
Means with the same Letters and in the columns are not statistically different
*Significant at 5% Probability leve
Apart from wood species, the TS of the composites were significantly affected by soaking time and
mixing ratios. Mahogany composites made with higher glue mixing ratios had significantly lower
WA in comparison with those made from Teak. This may be attributed to improved interfacial
bonding with increasing glue content, higher density profiles of the Mahogany boards and the
imperviousness of polystyrene to moisture sorption (Osemeahon and Dimas, 2014).
4.0 Conclusions
Disused polystyrene foams are suitable as adhesives for composites production. The fabricated
polystyrene bonded wood composites had moderate strength and sorption properties which can be
adapted for indoor insulating components. Increase in the glue content significantly enhanced the
strength and sorption properties of the fabricated boards.

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Adefisan, Evaluation of Strength and Sorption Properties of Polystyrene Bonded Composites of Mahogany
(Khaya ivorensis) and Teak (Tectona grandis) Woods. AZOJETE, 14(2):169-171 ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN
2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

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