The aim of the study is to determine the effect of sapwood and heartwood of Acacia melanoxylon on particleboard properties. Three layer particleboards, 16 mm in thickness, and 640 kg/m3 were produced. Boards with 4 sapwood/ heartwood mixtures in proportions of 100/0, 66/33, 33/66, and 0/100 were tested. Higher content of extractives and lower pH-value in heartwood compared to sapwood were determined.
As the amount of heartwood in the sapwood/heartwood particle mixture increased, the physical-mechanical properties of particleboards improved, except for internal bond (IB). Particleboards with 100% heartwood presented the highest MOR and MOE values, and the lowest swelling and water absorption values.