The effects of boron compounds and different melamine contents in MUF resins on some properties of MDF panels

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of some boron compounds, which have fire retardant properties, as well as melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resins having different melamine contents (10%, 15%, and 20%) on some physical and mechanical properties of medium density fiberboard (MDF) panels. It was found that the water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) of MDF panels increased depending on types and concentrations of boron compounds. However, the WA and TS values of MDF panels decreased with increasing melamine content in MUF resins. It was also found that the modulus of rupture (MOR) and internal bond strength (IB) of MDF panels showed different trends depending on the experimental parameters. Boron compounds showed some negative effects on the MOR and IB values. However, these effects decreased with increasing melamine content in MUF resins. The best results were obtained in MDF panels manufactured with an MUF resin having 20% melamine content. Consequently, increasing melamine content in MUF resins showed positive effects on some properties of MDF panels.