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Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) was produced using moist depithed bagasse stored dry or wet. The duration of storage for either method varied between 0 to 4 months. Two steaming temperatures of 175C and 185C were also used. MDF boards were produced in the laboratory and the common mechanical and physical properties were measured and compared. Results showed that an increased steaming temperature and storage time (especially for the wet storage method) have negative effects on the mechanical properties and positive effects on the physical properties (water absorption and Thickness swell). The mechanical properties of boards produced from bagasse as received (fresh bagasse) and at a steaming temperature of 175C were superior to others. The modulus of Rupture (MOR), Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) and Internal Bond (IB) of boards from fresh ba-gasse were 29.7 MPa., 3,127 MPa., and 0.52 MPa. respectively. However, the physical properties of boards produced from bagasse after 3 months’ wet storage and a steaming temperature of 185oC were superior, and were measured at 44.3% and 63.9% for water absorption after two and 24 hours’ immersion (WA2, WA24 ), and 11.5% and 17.6% for Thickness Swelling after two and 24 hours immersion (TS2, TS24 ) respectively.

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The aim of this study was to explore the minimum amount of urea formaldehyde (UF) resin content and optimum particleboard density while maintaining boards’ quality to reduce production costs. Board density at three levels (520, 620 and 720 kg m^-3) and resin content (6, 7 and 8%) were variable parameters. Stepwise multivariate linear regression models were used to evaluate the influence of board density and resin content on board properties and to determine the most effective parameter. In order to obtain the optimum board density and minimum resin content, contour plots were drawn. Regression models indicated that both board density and resin content were included in Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) models based on the degree of their importance. Internal Bond (IB) model only had one step and resin content positively affected it. The results obtained from contour plots revealed that manufacturing poplar particleboards with density ranging from 600 to 650 kg m^-3 and 6% resin would result in boards with mechanical properties within those required by the corresponding standard. Thickness swelling (TS) values were slightly higher (poorer) than the requirements. The panels required additional treatments such as using adequate amount of water resistant materials to improve thickness swelling after 2 and 24 hours of immersion.