Evaluation of Strip-Processed Cotton Stalks as a Raw Material for Structural Panels
Aadarsha Lamichhane1, Arun Kuttoor Vasudevan1, Ethan Dean1, Mostafa Mohammadabadi1,*, Kevin Ragon1, Ardeshir Adeli2
1 Department of Sustainable Bioproducts, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 9820, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
2 USDA Agricultural Research Service, Research Soil Scientist, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
* Corresponding Author: Mostafa Mohammadabadi. Email: 
Journal of Renewable Materials https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0146
Received 22 July 2025; Accepted 23 September 2025; Published online 20 October 2025
Abstract
This study explores a novel method for processing cotton stalks—an abundant agricultural byproduct—into long strips that serve as sustainable raw material for engineered bio-based panels. To evaluate the effect of raw material morphology on panel’s performance, two types of cotton stalk-based panels were developed: one using long strips, maintaining fiber continuity, and the other using ground particles, representing conventional processing. A wood strand-based panel made from commercial southern yellow pine strands served as the control. All panels were bonded using phenol-formaldehyde resin and hot-pressed to a target thickness of 12.7 mm and density of 640 kg/m
3. Their mechanical and physical properties were evaluated through internal bond, bending, thickness swelling, and water absorption tests. Both cotton stalk-based panels showed improved bonding performance compared to the control. The internal bond of the strip-based panel was nearly four times higher than that of the control, while the particle-based panel exceeded it by a factor of two. The strip-based panel showed approximately 15% lower bending stiffness than the wood strand-based panel, yet it surpassed it in load-carrying capacity by 5%. In contrast, the particleboard showed significantly lower bending performance than the strip-based and control panels, despite particle processing being a more conventional method. Both cotton stalk-based panels exhibited higher water absorption and thickness swelling than the wood strand panel. Overall, cotton stalk-based panels—particularly those using strip processing—show promising mechanical properties, suggesting potential applications in sheathing, furniture, and interior paneling. However, improvements in dimensional stability are needed for broader use.
Keywords
Crop residues; bio-based materials; cotton stalk; experimental testing; bending performance; internal bond; water absorption
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