Addition of Furfuryl Alcohol and Palm Oil on Physical and Biological Properties Changes in UF- and Citric Acid-Bonded Particleboard

Abstract

This study investigates the physical and biological properties of urea formaldehyde (UF)- and citric acid-bonded particleboard. Furfuryl alcohol and palm oil were added into both UF and citric acid in order to enhance the properties of the produced particleboard. Particleboard bonded with 4 different types of binder were tested for thickness swelling, water absorption, fungal and termite resistance. The results revealed poorer physical properties was recorded in the samples bonded with citric acid. However, the addition of palm oil and furfuryl alcohol had proven to be able to impart better physical properties to the resultant particleboards. In comparison to UF-bonded particleboard, better resistance against termites and fungus were also recorded in citric acid-bonded particleboard when furfuryl alcohol and palm oil were added. Therefore, with addition of suitable additives, citric acid is able served as a green binder with properties comparable to that of the urea formaldehyde resin.