الفهرس 
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Abstract
Summary
With the impending environmental crisis, the whole world is witnessing a shift
from non-renewable (e.g., metals and plastics) to renewable (e.g., wood) resources.
Being located in an arid zone, Egypt has meager wood resources. Therefore, it is
significant to direct research to find local resources that could serve as a substitute
for wood.
Extensive work has been conducted to determine the mechanical and physical
properties of molded products from cotton stalks, as a secondary product resulting
after collection of cotton crop. As far as mechanical properties are concerned, these
properties significantly surpass the corresponding values for particleboard.
Therefore, the objective of the research is to determine the appropriate conditions
of manufacture of molded products from cotton stalks, that could be used as a
substitute for wood.
The specimens of molded products have been made by using urea-formaldehyde
resin with percentage 10%, 20%, and 30% at 160°C. The specific pressure ranged
from 100 to 200 kg/ern’ with press cycle time ranging from 8 to 12 minute?
For the determination of the mechanical and physical properties of molded
products, specimens were prepared according to DIN standards to conduct the
following tests: static bending, internal bond, hardness, thickness swelling after
2&24 hours, and water absorption after 2&24 hours. The results of tests show that,
the mechanical and physical properties of cotton stalks molded products
significantly surpass the corresponding values for particleboard. The statistical
analysis has been made using SAS and MSTA TE programs. Moreover, it was possible to determine the appropriate conditions for manufacture of these molded
products.
Proceeding from the aforementioned results, it is possible to recommend the use
of cotton stalks molded products not only as a substitute of wood, but also as a
substitute for non-renewable resources (e.g., plastics).