Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the possibility of using castor-oil based polyurethane resin (PU), formulated with 30 % solids and 70 % solvent, in production of Medium Density Fiberboards (MDF) with Pinus caribaea fibers and two percentages of adhesive (5 and 10%). Six panels were fabricated under 4MPa pressing pressure, 190°C temperature. Initial moisture content of fibers was 9%. Properties investigated were: density of the panels; modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus or rupture (MOR) in static bending; and internal adhesion. Requirements of European Code EMB/IS-2 were used for comparison of results. Panels made with 10% of resin presented problems due gases expansion, disrupting the plates. For 5% resin content, mechanical properties investigated were above the requirements of the European Coded values. However, an undesirable odor prevented handling of the resin, in conditions here considered, which motivates the suggestion of new research in order to investigate different ratios between of solids and solvent contents, to completely enable the use of castor-oil based polyurethane resin MDF manufacture.
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