Decreasing formaldehyde emission from medium density fiberboard panels produced by adding different amine compounds to urea formaldehyde resin

Abstract

In this study, medium density fiberboard panels were produced by adding different ratios of some amine compounds to urea formaldehyde resin, which had 1:1.17 mol ratios. The formaldehyde contents, physical, and mechanical properties of medium density fiberboard panels were determined according to EN standard methods. In this study, it was determined that the formaldehyde emission emitted from medium density fiberboard panels decreased by adding urea, propylamine, methylamine, ethylamine, and cyclopentylamine solution. It was found that the water absorption and thickness swelling values increased slightly; however, the internal bond strength, modulus of rupture, and modulus of elasticity of medium density fiberboard panels also increased substantially, but these properties of medium density fiberboard panels decreased by adding higher ratios of urea solution. It was found that the formaldehyde emission of medium density fiberboard panels decreased 16.5% by using a 16% rate of urea formaldehyde resin and 0.8% rate of urea and ethylamine solution. These decreases were determined as 57% for cyclopentylamine solution addition, 41% for propylamine solution addition, and 48% for methylamine solution addition.