This study attempts to assess the properties of
structural laminated veneer lumber (LVL) made from low
grade raw materials and produced on commercial plywood
and LVL lines. Ten-year old Acacia mangium (Mangium)
thinnings and old-growth Hevea brasiliensis (Rubberwood)
were peeled to 3.6 mm thick veneers and processed into
IS-ply LVL. Two different veneer configurations were
used in the LVL fabrication, with melamine urea
formaldehyde (MUF), phenol formaldehyde (PF) and urea
formaldehyde (UF) as binders. The LVL were subsequently
finger-jointed and the bending strength evaluated. The
properties of LVL with different proportions of Mangium
and Rubberwood were also evaluated. Total green veneer
recoveries of about 70% were recorded for both Mangium
and Rubberwood, using a 4-ft Meinan Aristo-lathe. In general, Rubberwood demonstrated good compatibility with
UF resin, whilst MUF performed better than PF
