Investigation of a new natural particleboard adhesive composed of tannin and sucrose

Abstract

In the face of dwindling fossil fuel resources and the environmental imperative to reduce emissions associated with petrochemistry, there is strong demand for a wood composite bonding procedure using natural alternatives. In this study, particleboards were manufactured with a new material adhesive composed of tannin and sucrose, and hot-pressed at 200 °C for 10 min, to a target density of 0.8 g/cm3. We found optimal values for the mat moisture content, the ratio of tannin to sucrose and the resin content of 3–6 wt%, 25/75 and 30–40 wt%, respectively. When the particleboards were manufactured under these optimum conditions, the modulus of rupture and the modulus of elasticity were in the range of 19.6–21.2 MPa and 4.6–5.0 GPa, respectively. The internal bond strength was in the range of 1.1–1.3 MPa. Based on these results, the mechanical properties of particleboard bonded with tannin and sucrose were higher than the requirements of the JIS A 5908 type 18 standard (2003). In the thickness swelling test (TS), the value was in the range of 20–23 %; as the ratio of sucrose and resin content increased, the TS value decreased. The reaction mechanism between tannin and sucrose was studied by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the dimethylene ether bridges were observed. Consequently, it is possible that a tannin and sucrose mixture can be used as a natural adhesive for particleboard.