Pilot study for MDF manufacture from sugarcane bagasse and eucalyptus fibers

As an innovation in scientific research and development of a new product and with the objective of adding value to sugarcane bagasse, laboratory panels were made with 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% particles from Saccharum spp bagasse mixed with Eucalyptus grandis fibers, a raw material traditionally used for MDF panels in Brazil. The physical and mechanical properties of the panels were evaluated according to EN 622-5 (1997). The results indicated that panels with up to 75% bagasse showed average physical and mechanical property values that meet the current specification, thus opening up the prospect of using this abundant agricultural fiber resource.