Abstract
Currently, the majority of binders used in wood particleboard (PB) manufacturing are formaldehyde-based synthetic resins. Because of the toxicity of formaldehyde, there is a strong demand for eco-friendly alternatives with similar performances and economic viability. In this work, thick spent sulfite liquor (TSSL), an industrial byproduct from sulfite pulp mills, is proposed as a binder for fully bio-based PBs. The results showed that PBs bound with TSSL present appropriate mechanical performance, which was further improved when TSSL was combined with wheat flour at an 84:16 dry weight ratio and preheated to 94 °C prior to application. For 13.2% binder content per dry wood weight, the PB internal bond strength was 0.46 N mm−2, which is above the standard requirements for PB type P2 (0.35 N mm−2). Optical microscopy showed that TSSL hinders the gelatinization of starch granules during preheating, allowing the binder mixture to maintain a low viscosity suitable for combination with wood particles and PB production.
Highlights
Particleboards (PBs) are wood-based panels formed from small wood particles bonded with an adhesive and pressed together at high temperatures
The results showed that the mixture of thick spent sulfite liquor (TSSL) with wheat flour (WF) heated at 94 ◦ C led to an increase in the bonding performance, which was in accordance with the results of the automated bonding evaluation system (ABES) tests
The results showed that TSSL has adhesive properties and it is possible to manufacture particleboards with internal bond strengths (0.30 N·mm−2 ), above the requirements of standard EN 312 for particleboards type P1 (0.24 N·mm−2 )
Summary
Particleboards (PBs) are wood-based panels formed from small wood particles bonded with an adhesive and pressed together at high temperatures. Europe produces approximately 29 million m3 of PBs per year, and this value is expected to continue to grow [1]. The majority of adhesives used in PB manufacturing are synthetic and mainly formaldehyde-based because of their high reactivity, good binding strength, and low cost [2]. These resins release a small amount of formaldehyde, a toxic chemical compound obtained from non-renewable resources and classified as a human carcinogen [3], which raises public concerns. In Europe, the bio-economy is worth over 2.2 trillion euros, responsible for 18 million jobs, and has great potential to create competitiveness and add value in many sectors [4]. Wood adhesive producers have been looking for eco-friendly and economically viable alternatives by considering the availability, cost, and competition
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