Abstract
The pulp and paper industry generates substantial amounts of solid waste and wastewater, which contain waste fibres. The potential of using these recycled wood fibres for producing eco-friendly composites that were bonded with a formaldehyde-free adhesive (magnesium lignosulfonate) and their use in structural applications was evaluated in this study. Fibreboards were produced in the laboratory with a density of 720 kg·m−3 and 15% magnesium lignosulfonate gluing content, based on the dry fibres. The mechanical properties (bending strength, modulus of elasticity and internal bond strength), physical properties (thickness swelling and water absorption) and formaldehyde content were determined and compared with the European Standards requirements for wood-based panels. In general, the laboratory-produced panels demonstrated acceptable mechanical properties, such as bending strength (18.5 N·mm−2) and modulus of elasticity (2225 N·mm−2), which were higher than the minimum requirements for type P2 particleboards and equal to the requirements for MDF panels. The moisture properties, i.e., thickness swelling (24 h) and water absorption (24 h) significantly deteriorated. The free formaldehyde content of the laboratory-produced composites (1.1 mg/100 g) reached the super E0 grade (≤1.5 mg/100 g), which allowed for their classification as eco-friendly, low-emission wood-based composites. The L-type corner joints, made from the developed composites, demonstrated significantly lower bending capacity (from 2.5 to 6.5 times) compared to the same joints made from MDF panels. Nevertheless, the new eco-friendly composites can be efficiently utilised as a structural material in non-load-bearing applications.
Highlights
The depletion of fossil fuels and the increasing concern about the negative effects of global warming on the environment and human health are the main driving forces for the development of a bio-economy [1]
The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of using novel eco-friendly fibreboards from recycled wood fibres that were bonded with magnesium lignosulfonate in structural applications, Appl
The MOR and modulus of elasticity (MOE) values of the laboratory-produced composites were quite acceptable in comparison with the standard requirements for type P2 particleboards and almost equal to the minimum requirements for MDF panels [84,85]
Summary
The depletion of fossil fuels and the increasing concern about the negative effects of global warming on the environment and human health are the main driving forces for the development of a bio-economy [1]. In this respect, the resource efficiency optimisation and the valorisation of lignocellulosic biomass in different high-value products from renewable sources as an alternative to their petroleum-based equivalents are one of the key objectives for implementing the circular economy principles in the wood-based panel industry [2,3,4]. This solid and liquid discharge contains residual fibres and represents a potential feedstock that can be utilised in the production of new panels [9,10,11,12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
