Effect of edge banding thickness, dowels, and adhesive types on withdrawal strength in oriented strand board

Composite materials, edge banding, and wooden dowels are being used in inner decorations and the construction of furniture frames. However, there is little information available concerning the withdrawal strength of various fasteners and in particular, dowels in these materials. The aim of this study was to determine the withdrawal strengths of PVC edge bandings with 0.8-, 1-, and 2-mm thicknesses, and dowels produced from six different wood species (ash, black pine, beech, chestnut, oak, and Uludağ fir) bonded parallel to the surfaces of oriented strand board with polyvinyl acetate (PVAc-D4) or polyurethane (PUR-D4). According to TS 4539 standard, the effect of wooden dowel species, thickness of edge banding, and the type of adhesives on the withdrawal strength were determined. Withdrawal strength values of the PUR-D4 adhesive was found to be 26% higher than the strength values of the PVAc-D4 adhesive. The highest withdrawal strength was obtained for beech dowel bonded using PUR-D4 in the samples with 0.8 mm PVC edge banding (4.782 N/mm2), while the lowest withdrawal strength value was obtained for Uludağ fir dowel with the PVAc-D4 in the samples with 2 mm PVC edge banding (2.529 N/mm2). These values are higher than the predictive statement that allows designers to estimate the withdrawal strengths of dowels.