Influence of drying equilibrium moisture content -EMC- of particles and particleboards from pinewood

Experiments were carried out to determine the influence of drying wood flakes under different conditions on their equilibrium moisture content (EMC) as well as on the equilibrium moisture content of particleboards made therefrom. Severe-dried flakes showed lower EMC than mild- or moderate-dried flakes at 20 degree C and 65% rel. himidity. However, particleboards made from particles dried under mild, moderate and severe conditions revealed no significant differences in the EMC when glued using the same binder and pressing conditions. Particleboards bonded with different binders showed, in confirmation of the previous results, significant differences in the EMC.