Fire‐retarding properties of nanowollastonite in particleboard

Abstract

SummaryEffects of wollastonite nanofibers on fire‐retarding properties of particleboard were studied here. Nanowollastonite (NW) was applied at 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% based on the dry weight of wood particles. The size range of wollastonite nanofibers was 30 to 110 nm. Two application methods of NW were used: surface application (SA) in which NW was mixed with a water‐based paint and sprayed on the specimens, and internal application (IA) in which NW was mixed with the urea‐formaldehyde resin. Density was kept constant at 0.68 g/cm3 for all treatments. Specimens of 150 × 130 × 9 mm were prepared, and fire‐retarding properties were measured using 2 apparatuses: slide fire test apparatus and fixed fire test apparatus. The obtained results indicated that most fire‐retarding properties were improved with the increase in NW content up to 15% when applied internally. More than this amount resulted in decreasing of properties that was partly due to the less wood‐chips content and partly due to the absorption of resin by the NW fibers. Surface application showed higher improving effects on the properties. It can be concluded that SA of NW is more effective in improving fire‐retarding properties of particleboard; furthermore, 10% of NW is recommended as an optimum level of consumption.