PRODUCTION OF PARTICLEBOARD FROM DISCARDED FURNITURE1

ABSTRACT This research aims to evaluate the quality of particleboard produced with particles generated from discarded furniture, both in its pure form or mixed with industrial particles of Pinus. The material was collected in the region of Curitiba City (Paraná) in the form of chips processed in an industrial chipper of a company specialized in waste wood recycling. The experimental plan consisted in producing panels with 10%, 25%, 50% and 75% of particles obtained from discarded furniture mixed with particles of Pinus, and panels with 100% of such materials. Panels were produced with nominal density of 0,70 g/cm3, using the urea-formaldehyde resin in a proportion of 10% solids - dry basis weight of the particles and 1% paraffin emulsion. The panels were pressed with a specific pressure of 4,0 MPa, temperature of 140ºC and pressing time of 10 minutes. The results of internal bond met the requirements of the standard EN 312, which indicates that there was an adequate bonding of these particles obtained from discarded furniture. The results of physical and mechanical properties of the panels demonstrated the feasibility of using particles from discarded furniture when producing particleboard, with the possibility of full use of these particles from waste without mixing it with industrial particles of Pinus free from contamination.