Technological Properties of Biocomposites Produced With Agro‐Industrial Castor Waste Applicable in the Thermal Insulation of Buildings

ABSTRACT The production of composite particleboards with agricultural waste has been the focus of many studies that aim to address environmental problems due to waste disposal. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of using castor waste as a raw material for particleboard production with a view to its application as thermal insulation for buildings. Particleboards were composed of pinewood and castor waste particles at ratios of wt. equal to 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100, and were evaluated for water absorption and thickness swelling, internal bonding, static bending, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal conductivity. The addition of 100% castor waste reduced water absorption from 106.97% to 78.27% after 24 h of immersion. The replacement of pinewood particles with castor waste provided better dimensional stability to the panels because of the higher content of extractives in the castor waste. The values of the modulus of rupture (MOR) were four to eight times greater than the values recommended by standards for medium‐density particleboards (MDP). The thermal conductivity of the composites with 100% castor waste was reduced from 0.078 to 0.065 W/m K. It was concluded that castor waste, as a raw material used in the manufacture of particleboard, is an alternative and sustainable diversification.