Abstract
Wettability and surface roughness properties of medium densityberboard (MDF) panels made from Rhododendron biomass were examined in this study. Rhododendron dominates the understory layer of the forests throughout the Black Sea Region in Turkey with substantial biomass potential. � is study was conducted to evaluate suitability of Rhododendronber for MDF production. For the experiments, rhododendron and commercially-manufactured-chip (Pinus sylvestris L. and Quercus robur L.) with 11% moisture content were used. � e mixing ratios of rhododendron with commercially-manufactured-chip were 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100 %, respectively. Commercial urea formaldehyde (UF) adhesive was used as a binder. A stylus method was employed to evaluate the surface characteristics of the samples. Roughness measurements by the stylus method were taken perpendicularly to theber. � ere was a signicant dierence (p=0.05) between surface roughness parameters (R a , R z , R q , and R y ). � e results obtained in this study revealed that all the panels have met the general purpose-use requirements of European Norm (EN). It was found that panels made with a 25/75 ratio of rhododendron to commercially-manufactured-chip had a signicantly lower contact angle (88.14 o ) than panels made with a 100/0 ratio (117.91 o ). Surface roughness measurements are based on four roughness parameters, average roughness (R a ), mean peak-to-valley height (R z ), root mean square roughness (R q ), and maximum peak-to-valley height (R y ) were considered to evaluate the surface characteristics of the panels and supported the above � ndings as the panels made with a 25/75 ratio had a slightly rougher surface with average values of 2.929 �m (R a ). From the tests performed, we conclude that increasing the rhododendron mixing portion increased surface roughness and decreased wettability. Based on these results, rhododendron biomass could be an alternative raw material for MDF manufacturing.
Highlights
Wettability and surface roughness properties of medium density berboard (MDF) panels made from Rhododendron biomass were examined in this study
Wetting quality of wood is in uenced by many factors including wood macroscopic characteristics, surface quality of wood, processing temperature, and properties of adhesives (Lu 2003). e objectives of this study include (1) Determine surface roughness and wettability properties of the panels made from rhododendron wood and compare them with conventional mixtures for possible usage for MDF production, and (2) to recommend the result of the experiment to the industry. erefore, the aim of the current study is to nd alternative raw materials for the MDF industry in Turkey
Statistical Analyses For the surface roughness and wettability all multiple comparisons were rst subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA) at p
Summary
Wettability and surface roughness properties of medium density berboard (MDF) panels made from Rhododendron biomass were examined in this study. E objectives of this study include (1) Determine surface roughness and wettability properties of the panels made from rhododendron wood and compare them with conventional mixtures (oak and pine) for possible usage for MDF production, and (2) to recommend the result of the experiment to the industry. Eight experimental panels with dimensions of 2100 mm by 4900 mm by 18 mm with target densities of 0.73 g/cm3 for each type of raw material combination were manufactured at Divapan Integrated Wood Products Inc. in Duzce, Turkey.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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
