Feasibility of substituting core layer strands in randomly OSB with contaminated waste wood particles

This study investigated the feasibility of substituting core layer strands of randomly oriented strand boards (OSB) with waste wood particles with respect to CSA 0437–Series 93 Standards on OSB and Waferboard requirements. Standard core layer strands have been substituted with four different levels (0, 25, 50 and 100%) of waste wood particles. Several mechanical properties of the OSB have been tested. Overall, it could be demonstrated that waste wood particles can successfully be used in the core layer of OSB. All properties met the requirements of CSA 0437-Series 93, except for thickness swell (TS) and water absorption (WA). From a mechanical and physical board properties perspective, it is possible to substitute up to 100% of the core layer strands in randomly OSB panels with unsorted contaminated waste wood particles. However, results showed high density variability within boards and between different core compositions. Internal bond (IB) met the standard’s requirements, showed significant differences between the waste wood proportions and increased with the level of waste wood particles. The modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) also met the requirements, and decreased with increasing waste wood particle levels.