Production of medium density fiberboard (MDF) from birch (Betula pendula L.) wood biomass

Abstract

This study used the wood of birch (Betula pendula) supplies were brought from western regions of Ukraine to Turkey Kastamonu İnebolu port by special a company. From there, it was brought to a special factory, which produces medium-density fiberboard (MDF) manufacturing in Kastamonu Organized Industrial Zone. In the study, MDF was produced from the fibers of 100% birch wood. In MDF production, boards were produced using 0.96 mol E1 urea-formaldehyde glue in different percentage proportions. For the test performances of these boards, the test samples were produced in a continuous press line. In test production, glue in four different percentages (10.05%, 12.96%, 13.46% and 13.94%) was used. According to the glue consumption percentage ratios, physical (density, thickness, swelling, water absorption) and mechanical (bending strength, bending elasticity modulus, internal bond strength, board screw holding strength) test performances were measured. As a result, as the percentage of urea-formaldehyde consumption increases in MDF production, it was determined that the performance values of the boards decrease. When producing MDF from birch wood, the board should be produced according to the glue consumption, which gives the optimum test results.