Monteiro, SandraNunes, LinaMartins, JorgeD. Magalhães, FernãoCarvalho, Luísa2021-03-112021-03-112020-08Monteiro, S., Nunes, L., Martins, J., Magalhães, F.D. & Carvalho, L.H. (2020). Low-density cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) particleboards bound with potato starch-based adhesive. "Polymers", 12(8), 1799. DOI:10.3390/polym120817992073-4360http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/5782In the present work, and for the first time, totally biosourced low-density particleboards were produced using cardoon particles (a no added value by-product from the Portuguese cheese making industry), bound with a potato starch adhesive. Different starch/cardoon ratios (0.6, 0.8, 1 and 1.2) were tested and the effect of different bio-based additives (chitosan, wood fiber and glycerol) on the performance of the adhesive system was evaluated. The best result was obtained for a formulation with a starch/cardoon mass ratio of 0.8, a chitosan/starch mass ratio of 0.05 and a water/starch mass ratio of 1.75. The particleboards produced had a density of 323 kg·m⁻³, internal bond strength of 0.35 N·mm⁻² and thickness swelling of 15.2%. The values of density and internal bond strength meet the standard requirements of general-purpose lightweight boards for use in dry conditions according to CEN/TS 16368 specification. Moreover, the susceptibility of the formulations with best results was established against subterranean termites and one decay fungi.engLow-density ParticleboardsStarch-based AdhesiveCardoonPhysico-mechanical Propertiesjournal article10.3390/polym12081799000568135800001