Wollastonite to Improve Fire Properties in Medium-Density Fiberboard Made from Wood and Chicken Feather Fibers

Hamid R Taghiyari,Jeffrey J Morrell,Antonios N Papadopoulos

doi:10.3390/app11073070

Abstract

Poultry is a crucial global protein source.However, processing creates sizable quantities of feathers as a by-product. Identifying suitable uses for these feathers poses a major challenge. One possible use would be as an extender in medium density fiberboards (MDF). At the same time, feathers might also modify the inherent fire resistance of the resulting panels, suggesting the need for additives to enhance fire performance. The potential for using feathers to supplement wood in MDF panels was evaluated in conjunction with the addition of wollastonite. The effects of using 5% or 10% feathers with or without 10% wollastonite were investigated. Adding 5% feathers did affect properties. However, simultaneous addition of 10% wollastonite resulted in panels with improved fire performance properties and increased the ability of panels to dissipate heat. The results suggest that feathers could be a resource for extending timber supplies for MDF production, especially with wollastonite to improve fire performance.

Highlights

Medium density fibreboard (MDF) is an important product in a variety of industries ranging from low-cost furniture to exterior protected panels
The objective of this study was to explore the effects of incorporating small amounts of chicken feathers and wollastonite on subsequent fire performance of MDF panels
The addition of wollastonite to the feather amended MDF increased ignition time, but both treatments still ignited in a shorter time than either MDF alone or amended with wollastonite (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Medium density fibreboard (MDF) is an important product in a variety of industries ranging from low-cost furniture to exterior protected panels. MDF is most commonly produced using wood particles produced as by-products from other operations but can be produced from a variety of other agricultural by-products. Wood fiber is not always available, and there is a continuing search for alternative materials for these products. One possible alternative material would be feathers from poultry production. Global chicken production results in an estimated 40 million tonnes of feathers as a by-product [1]. Much of this material is sent to landfills or burned. Identifying processing pathways for feathers would reduce pressure on landfills while helping to extend global wood resources

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