Mold resistance of medium density fiberboard panels made from black spruce, hybrid poplar, larch and a mixture of S-P-F chips

Abstract

Eleven types of medium density fiberboard (MDF) panels were manufactured from fresh-felled trees of black spruce, hybrid poplar, larch and a mixture of spruce, pine and fir (S-P-F) wood chips at a target density of 740 kg/m3 bonded with 10% commercial urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin. Black spruce panels were fabricated from fibers located in three wood age zones (1–20, 21–40 and over 40 annual rings) of bottom logs, as well as top, middle and bottom logs, separately. Hybrid poplar panels were made from three clones with codes 915303, 915311, and 915313. Mold resistance of these panels was tested by exposing panels in an incubation chamber set at favourable temperature and relative humidity (RH) conditions for mold growth for 4 weeks. The results indicate that MDF panels made from black spruce juvenile wood (1–20 annual rings) were more resistant to mold infection comparing to the other types of panels based on Duncan’s multiple-range test at 0.05 of probability. Panels made of fibers taken from black spruce transition zone (21–40 annual rings) and mature wood zone (over 40 annual rings), and top, middle and bottom logs, hybrid poplar clones 915303, 915311, and 915313, larch and S-P-F wood chips were not significantly different, and these panels were severely infected by mold after 4 weeks of incubation. Nine fungal species predominately infected the tested samples. This laboratory experiment indicates that MDF panels made from black spruce transition and mature wood, and top, middle and bottom logs, hybrid poplar, larch and a mixture of S-P-F chips are susceptible to mold growth and protection measures are necessary in order to improve mold susceptibility of those panels when used in humid conditions or for exterior applications.