Moisture and decay resistance and reaction to fire properties of self-binding fibreboard made from steam-exploded grey alder wood

Abstract

A study of self-binding fibreboards pressed without synthetic adhesives is reported. The board samples of steam-exploded grey alder (Alnus incana L. Moench) particles hot-pressed under a variety of conditions including moisture content of the mat (8% and 12%), temperature (150°C, 160°C, 170°C and 180°C) and pressure (0.2–8 MPa) are tested for moisture resistance (standard EN 1087-1), decay resistance (standard ENV 12038) and reaction to fire performance (ISO 5660-1). The moisture resistance of the board samples is found to satisfy the standard EN 622-5 for load-bearing medium-density fibreboard for use in humid conditions (MDF.HLS). The tested board samples are not fully resistant to the Trametes versicolor fungus, the mass loss of specimens exceeding 3%. Reaction to fire performance of the self-binding board evaluated by the average rate of heat emission being by about 25% higher is worse compared with MDF.HLS.