Mechanical and Physical Properties of Boards Made from Recycled Paper

Due to the increasing accumulation of wastes around the world, the demand for sustainable products is increasing. Paper is a commonly disposed of material that can pose problems even when it is recycled. The concept of using cardboard (CB) as a material for furniture production has been around for many years, but CB furniture does not last long. This study examined the feasibility of using post-consumer recycled paper to produce paper-based boards for furniture design. Cardboard (CB) and office paper (OP) were the main post-consumer materials that were used. The CB and OP were mixed with polylactic acid (PLA) and limestone. The boards were made at a temperature of 200 °C and pressed at a pressure of 3.5 N/mm2 using a single opening hydraulic press. The physical and mechanical properties were tested according to the European standards for wood-based panels. Tests that are critical for furniture parts, such as the modulus of rupture (MOR), the modulus of elasticity (MOE), the internal bond, the screw withdrawal resistance, the thickness swelling, and the water absorption were examined. The paperboard samples exceeded some of the requirements for the general use of boards for interior fitments (including furniture) for use in dry conditions (Type P2) and for non-load bearing boards for use in humid conditions (Type P3).