The effect of mat layers moisture content on some properties of particleboard

Abdullah Istek,Ismail Ozlusoylu

doi:10.5552/drvind.2019.1821

Abstract

In this study, the effect of mat moisture content on the physical and mechanical properties of particleboard was investigated. The experimental boards were produced by using 40 % softwood, 45 % hardwood chips, and 15 % sawdust. The formaldehyde resin/adhesive was used in three-layers (bottom-top layer 12 %, core layer 8 %). Multi-opening press was used during manufacturing the experimental particleboards. The physical and mechanical properties of boards obtained were identified according to the TS-EN standards. The optimum core layer moisture content was determined as 6 % and 7 % according to the results, whereas the moisture content of bottom and top layers was 14 %. Under these moisture content conditions, the bending strength was found to be 13.3 N/mm², the modulus of elasticity in bending 2466 N/mm², and internal bonding strength 0.44 N/mm². The optimum bottom-top layer moisture content was determined to be between 13 % and 15 % and 6.5 % for the core layer.

Highlights

IntroductionParticleboards (PB) are manufactured under heat and pressure of mat obtained from wood particles or other lignocellulosic material in particle with the addition of an adhesive
When the mat moisture content of bottom-top and core layers was fixed at 14 % and 8 %, respectively, it was observed that the board generally burst at the end of hot press
When the mat moisture of core layer was kept constant at 6.5 % and mat moisture contents of bottom-top layer were adjusted at 17 %, some of the boards burst when leaving the hot press in test production

Summary

Introduction

Particleboards (PB) are manufactured under heat and pressure of mat obtained from wood particles or other lignocellulosic material in particle with the addition of an adhesive. Affecting the properties of board at the stage of pressing are the mat moisture, temperature, specific press pressure, press closing speed, and pressing duration. It was reported that the mat moisture content plays an important role in properties of MDF produced using phenol formaldehyde (FF) resin, and that the mean characteristics achieved at 12 % mat moisture content were found to be better than those obtained at 6 % and 9 % mat moistures (Chow and Zhao, 1992). The moisture of mat PB before the hot pressing is one of the most important factors affecting the heat transfer within mat, as well as the properties of PB (Park et al, 1999)

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