A comparison between the properties of low and medium molecular weight phenol formaldehyde resin-treated laminated compreg oil palm wood

Abstract

In order to improve the inherently poor properties of oil palm wood (OPW), this study examines the effects of resin molecular weight, diffusion time and compression ratio on the properties of laminated compreg OPW. Treating solutions used were medium molecular weight phenol formaldehyde (MmwPF) and low molecular weight phenol formaldehyde (LmwPF). OPW strips were soaked in the treating solutions for 24 h before wrapping in a plastic bag and leaving them for diffusion for 2, 4 and 6 days, respectively. Then, three-layer laminated compreg OPW were fabricated and compressed in hot press at 150°C for 20 minutes to achieve compression ratios of 55%, 70% and 80%. Results indicated that dimensional stability and mechanical properties of the phenolic resin treated laminated compreg OPW were significantly better than the untreated laminates. MmwPF-treated laminates exhibited inferior properties in comparison to that of LmwPF-treated laminates. Nevertheless, MmwPF-treated laminated compreg OPW emitted significantly lesser formaldehyde.