Medium Density Particleboard Research Articles

Life cycle assessment in the furniture industry: the case study of an office cabinet

In an effort to reduce the environmental impacts of the furniture sector, this study aimed to diagnose the environmental performance of an office cabinet throughout its life cycle. An attributional life cycle assessment (LCA) was used, based on the ISO 14044 Standard and ILCD Handbook. The scope of the study considered the entire supply chain, from cradle to grave, including the steps of pre-manufacturing, manufacturing, use, and post-use of the product. The impact assessment method was the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) 2011 midpoint. The results identified that the most significant environmental impact of the furniture life cycle was due to the distances covered and production of the main raw material, wood medium-density particleboard (MDP). The evaluation of transport scenarios showed environmental tradeoffs for truck fuel switches and environmental gains for the distribution of MDP from closer suppliers by truck, as well as from current supplier by truck and ship in the major categories. Furthermore, evaluation of the office cabinet post-use options showed that reuse, recycling, or energy recovery from waste cause significant environmental gains in the major categories. Wooden furniture is a potential carbon sink if its life cycle does not emit more greenhouse gases than its materials can store. The impacts of substitution scenarios varied depending on the type of product avoided. The LCA proved a powerful method to diagnose and manage environmental impacts in complex product systems. The sensitivity analysis showed that it is possible to reduce the environmental impacts and, at the same time, make the furniture industry increase its economic gains and net carbon stock in the anthroposphere.

Flax Shive and Hemp Hurd Residues as Alternative Raw Material for Particleboard Production

Flax shive and hemp hurd residues were characterized, and the feasibility of manufacturing three-layered particleboards was evaluated using 2.5% and 5% polymeric diphenyl methane diisocyanate resin loadings. The flax shive and hemp hurd residues had lower bulk densities and higher aspect ratios compared with the wood residues. Their higher aspect ratios offered greater overlap in bonding, which led to consistently higher bending properties that exceeded the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requirements for low-density (LD2) particleboard and, in some cases, medium-density (M2) particleboard. Because of their particle geometry, the flax shive and hemp hurd particleboards also showed minimal linear expansion with changes in the moisture content at 20 ± 3 °C and between 50% and 90% relative humidity. The high absorption capacity of the flax shive and hemp hurd residues resulted in higher thickness swell and water absorption properties than the wood residues. The results indicated that low-density flax shive and hemp hurd particleboards (500 to 620 kg/m3) can be manufactured using isocyanate resin quantities as low as 2.5% to produce panels that conform to ANSI specifications with a greater mechanical performance than that of wood residue particleboards.

A Preliminary Study about the Utilization of Cajueiro and Amescla for MDP Panels Production

The most commons woods used for production of medium density particleboard (MDP) are Eucalyptus and Pinus. The Cajueiro and Amescla wood are typical trees coming from the center-west of Brazil, from the States of Mato Grosso and Tocatins. These are medium density woods similar to Pinus sp, the Brazilian’s wood’s industries usually used these woods only as piece of wood for structures or furniture. The purpose of this research is to investigate, in a preliminary study, the possibility of MDP panel’s production using Cajueiro and Amescla wood species. The panels were produced under a pressure of 4 MPa for 10 minutes at 100°C, and it was produced a total of 12 MDP panels, 6 of Cajueiro and 6 of Amescla, with a thickness of 10mm, dimensions 250mm×250mm and 0.5 kg mass. For the bending modulus of elasticity, 2200 MPa were obtained for Cajueiro and 2700 MPa for Amescla, which are considered good values. The results can be considered satisfactory because it is a preliminary and unpublished study in the case of MDP panels manufactured with Cajueiro and Amescla wood species.

Effects of adhesive and loading directions on the load-carrying capacity of V-nails

Effects of tensile and compression loading on the overall strength of two miter frame corner joints, namely V-nail and dovetail joints, with and without adhesive were studied for medium-density fiberboard and particleboard. Two sizes of V-nails were chosen, sizes 7 and 10. Tensile and compression load-carrying capacity values were measured on the internal and external corners of the joints. Results showed that both wood-composites had greater load-carrying capacities for compression stress in comparison to tensile stress. Medium-density fiberboard demonstrated higher strength compared to particleboard specimens because of its higher compactness of fibers and more integrity in the composite matrix. Application of adhesive resulted in a significant increase in the strength of all joints and both composites. The increase in medium-density fiberboard was significantly higher in comparison to particleboard because lower permeability in medium-density fiberboard did not let adhesive to be uselessly penetrated into the texture. In particleboard specimens, however, adhesive penetrated into the voids and spaces in the composite, and the adhesive line was weakened between the surfaces of the composite bodies. It was concluded that V-nails are recommended for craftsmen in case adhesive is used. However, dovetail joints provide higher strength if the production process necessitates not to use adhesive in joints.

Coir and Sisal Fibers as Fillers in the Production of Eucalyptus Medium Density Particleboards - MDP

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of sisal and coir fibers in combination with Eucalyptus particles for the production of particleboard. The particleboards were produced in three layers. The first and third layers (face) were made with small Eucalyptus particles. The second layer (core) was made with big Eucalyptus particles in combination with coir or sisal fibers. The particleboards were prepared with the substitution on Eucalyptus wood for sisal and coir fibers in the particleboards core, in doses of 0, 10, and 20%, relative to the total mass of particles. The particleboards were characterized by mechanical, physical and thermal properties. The results were not satisfactory for particleboards with sisal. However, for coir particleboards the physical-mechanical properties were very similar to those particleboards produced only with Eucalyptus. This work demonstrates the potential use of the coir that is commonly disposed in landfills on the Brazilian beaches.

Particleboard Panels Made from Sugarcane Bagasse: Characterization for Use in the Furniture Industry

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of commercial panels produced with sugarcane bagasse to investigate the possibility of us for the production of furniture. We evaluated industrial MDP (Medium density particleboard) panels made of Eucalyptus and Pinus by two Brazilian companies and an industrial MDP panel made from sugarcane bagasse, produced in China. We tested the physical characteristics of water absorption and thickness swelling of the panels after 2 and 24 h of immersion in water. To estimate the moisture content and density, we followed the procedure detailed in NBR 14810-3¹. The mechanical properties were characterized by performing bending (moduli of elasticity and rupture), compression (moduli of elasticity rupture), internal bonding, screw pullout and Janka hardness tests. We found that panels made from sugarcane bagasse showed comparable with or superior physical and mechanical properties to those made from Eucalyptus and Pinus.

Efeito do Tipo de Chapa de Partículas nas Propriedades Físicas e Mecânicas

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar chapas de partículas do tipo aglomerado convencional, chapas tipo Medium Density Particleboard (MDP) e as do tipo aglomerado com inclusão laminar. As chapas avaliadas foram fabricadas com partículas de Acacia mangium e no aglomerado com inclusão laminar utilizaram-se lâminas de Schizolobium amazonicum. O aglomerado convencional e o aglomerado com inclusão laminar apresentaram umidade de equilíbrio higroscópico estatisticamente superior ao MDP. O aglomerado com inclusão laminar apresentou maior índice de inchamento em espessura após duas horas de imersão em água, valores de módulo de ruptura em flexão estática maiores e maior resistência ao arrancamento de parafuso. As chapas do tipo MDP apresentaram maior resistência à tração perpendicular. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas nas demais propriedades. Conclui-se que a inclusão laminar melhorou o módulo de ruptura e o arrancamento de parafuso, enquanto a utilização de partículas finas nas faces melhorou as propriedades físicas das chapas.

Synthetic resins and their properties in respect of development of jute based composite boards

Synthetic resins play an important role for preparation and sustenance of composite industry. Preparation of synthetic resins in standard protocol is readily available in literature. However, the standardization and stability of both urea formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde resins has the paramount importance to develop suitable composite board. An attempt therefore made to synthesis these resins through a rational approach. The developed resins were subjected to preparation of medium density particle board and it has been revealed that higher resin viscosity causes ball formation with fibrous mass at the time of blending; however resin viscosity of 250 – 300(cP) is found suitable for making fibreboard. 0.75 board density can meet the BIS specification for fiberboards (IS 12406). In this experiment the fibreboards need to have a density of 0.74 g/cc and a resin content of about 12% to produce boards conforming to BIS specification. It is also observed that the dry process generated fibres have a better l/b ratio compared to wet-process generated fibres.

EFEITO DA ESPESSURA E DO VÃO NA DEFORMAÇÃO EM FLEXÃO DE PAINÉIS DE MADEIRA

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a correlação entre as propriedades físicas e mecânicas de painéis de MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard ) e de MDP (Medium Density Particleboard ) utilizados na fabricação de móveis. Para análise dos painéis foram determinadas as propriedades físicas de densidade, e teor de umidade e as propriedades mecânicas em flexão estática (MOE e MOR). O experimento foi realizado com amostras de painéis, em três espessuras (15 mm, 18 mm e 25 mm) e três vãos considerando a relação L/h (vão dividido pela espessura) de 30, 35 e 40, totalizando nove tratamentos para cada tipo de painel, com três repetições. Essas amostras também foram submetidas a ensaios não destrutivos de flexão, com cargas equivalentes a 25 g.cm-² uniformemente distribuídas, em condições climatizadas (temperatura 20º C ±1 e umidade 65% ±1). A deformação final com a carga foi registrada após uma semana registrando-se ainda a deformação residual após a retirada da carga. Foi feita uma análise estatística dos resultados, onde se avaliou o efeito dos tratamentos relativos ao vão e a espessura. Uma análise das médias evidenciou diferenças significativas entre os valores obtidos em cada espessura. O vão demonstrou ter maior influência na deformação dos painéis do que a espessura. Entre as dimensões das amostras avaliadas a melhor relação encontrada foi L/h=30.

Effect of Ozone Treatment on Properties of Screw Pressed and Non-Screw Pressed Empty Fruit Bunch Medium Density Particleboard

This study was done to investigate the effects of ozone treatment as a method to improve the properties of empty fruit bunch (EFB) medium density particleboard. Two types of EFB were used in this study i.e. screw pressed and non-screw pressed empty fruit bunch. These EFB were treated in an ozone chamber for 8 hours prior to particleboard manufacturing. The mechanical properties, Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and Internal Bonding (IB) and physical properties, water Absorption (WA) and Thickness Swelling (TS) of EFB particleboard were determined. The results showed that the ozone treatment could increase the MOR and IB values of EFB particleboard, but had no significant effect on MOE values. For physical properties, the values showed no improvement for TS and WA. The panels manufactured using ozone treatment was found suitable for applications for furniture products.

Properties of Particleboard Produced from Red Pine (Pinus brutia) Chips and Lavender Stems

The usability of lavender stems along with red pine chips was investigated as raw materials in the production of particleboard. Medium-density particleboard was manufactured using urea formaldehyde glue at three different ratios for five different mixture groups containing lavender stems and red pine chips. Some physical and mechanical properties of the boards were investigated. According to the statistical studies of the results, decreasing the ratio of lavender stems between board groups reduced the thickness swelling value. The internal bond strength, bending strength, and elastic modulus values of all board groups (%10-12 glued) were above the minimum values set by the TS-EN-312 standard for general purpose particleboard. According to these results, either lavender stems alone or together with red pine chips are suitable for use as a new raw material for particleboard manufacturing.

Functionally Graded MDP Panels Using Bamboo Particles

MDP (medium density particleboard) panels are normally graded in composition along their cross-section, using low-size particles and high concentration of adhesive on the particleboard surface (leading to improved physical and mechanical properties), and high-size particles in the particleboard core (interior), which provide higher porosity. Then, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of using different contents of bamboo particles in the particleboard core, on their physical and mechanical properties. The production of the panels was carried out using Pinusoocarpa (P) and Bambusavulgaris var. Vittata (B) particles in different contents (100% P, 100% B, 50% de B e 50% de P, 25% de B e 75% de P, 75% de B e 25% de P) in the core of the particleboards. The face of the particleboards were composed of P particles. The panels were produced with nominal density of 0.70 g/cm3, 40:60 face:core relation, 11% urea-formaldehyde adhesive in the faces and 8% adhesive for the core, specific pressure of 3.92 MPa, 160 °C temperature and pressing time of 8 min. After seasoning, the panels were submitted to evaluation of the thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) after 2 and 24 h of immersion, apparent density (AD), internal bonding (IB), modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) under static bending. There was no statistical difference between the treatments for AD, IB, MOR and MOE values. Panels produced with high contents of bamboo particles (100% B, 75% B e 50% B) in the core, presented the lower WA and TS values, leading to improved dimensional stability than panels with only pinus particles. The present results show the important impact of using functionally gradation and bamboo particles on the physical properties of the MDP panels produced.

Manufacturing Medium-Density Particleboards from Wood–Bark Mixture and Different Adhesive Systems*

Abstract The disposal problem of bark residues and the shortage of wood raw material supply in some regions make the use of bark an attractive option for the industry. In this study, medium-density particleboards were manufactured from mixed black spruce bark and spruce-pine-fir wood particles at a weight ratio of 50/50. Different adhesive systems were used as binders for the bark-based panels, including commercial phenol-formaldehyde (PF), urea-formaldehyde (UF), polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI) resins, and a laboratory-synthesized lignin-PF resin containing 30 wt% lignin substitution for phenol. The objective was to investigate the suitability of utilizing bark residues in the manufacture of particleboards for the floor underlayment (PBU) application. The resulting boards were evaluated according to the ANSI A208.1‐2009 standard for internal bond (IB), modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, hardness, thickness swell, and linear expansion. The test results indicate that all panels made with these resin systems can meet the PBU requirements in terms of IB and hardness and that those bonded with 8 percent PF or 5 percent pMDI can meet all the requirements by the ANSI A208.1‐2009 standard for the floor underlayment application in terms of the properties evaluated. Results of this study imply that it is feasible to use bark as a raw material to manufacture medium-density particleboard for the floor underlayment application.

Characterization of Medium Density Particleborads Using Agricultural Residues

In recent years the production of products derived from wood and bamboo are increasing, due to the search for a more rational exploitation of these raw materials. Amongst these products, the particleboards production combine sustainability and rationality in the use of these materials. In this context, this work has the objective to study the application of alternative raw materials in the manufacture of Medium Density Particleboards (MDP), using residues from industrial processimg of coffee and bamboo. MDP had been produced with particles of giganteus bamboo of the Dendrocalamus species and particle of coffee rind in the intermediate layer of the particleboard, bonded with polyurethane resin based on castor oil. The physical and mechanical characterization was carried out accordingly to NBR 14810-3 (2006). The physical properties evaluated were: of water absorption for 2h and 24h; thickness swallowing for 2h and 24h; density, humidity content. The mechanical properties evaluated were: Tensile strength, static bending (MOR and MOE). The results were compared with NBR 14810-2 (2006) and also with the ANSI A208-1 (1993). The physical performance of these particleboards was below the values recommend by the Brazilian norm. Also the mechanical characteristics are not improve, demonstrating that the inclusion of coffee rind did not benefit the physical characteristics and nor the mechanical ones. However it can be used as construction materials for partitions and ceiling panels.

Medium Density Particleboard Reinforced with Bamboo Laminas

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the addition of bamboo laminas of the species Dendrocalamus giganteus to three-layer medium density particleboard (MDP). These laminas were glued onto both the top and the bottom of each panel. With the manufactured panels laminated with bamboo, mechanical tests based on the Brazilian Standard ABNT NBR 14810 were carried out to determine the modulus of rupture (MOR) in static bending and the tensile strength parallel-to-surface. These mechanical tests were realized in particleboards of eucalyptus and in reinforced particleboard, both produced in the laboratory. The modulus of rupture and tensile strength parallel-to-surface of the laminated MDP had values close to those that have been reported. The reinforcements increased the values of these studied properties. Nevertheless, this fact indicated the possibility to produce a stronger MDP using bamboo lamina as surface layers. These results show the possibility of using coated-bamboo MDP for utilization in large spans, for example, in flooring for mezzanines with finish on both sides, and for robust furniture as bookshelves, beds, tables, etc.

Medium Density Particleboard with Addition of Impregnated Paper

The aim of this research was to produce three-layer Medium Density Particleboard (MDP), with the addition of impregnated paper, in the inner layer, in proportions of 1; 5 and 20%. In this study, MDP was composed with particles of small size in outer layers, and larger particles in internal layer. After panel manufacturing, physical and mechanical tests based on Brazilian Code ABNT NBR 14.810 were carried out to determine moisture content; density; thickness swelling; water absorption; modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) in static bending and internal adhesion. Test results were compared to commercial panels, produced with 100% Eucalyptus, considering the requirements specified by Brazilian Code. Properties presented values close to normative specifications, indicating positively the possibility of production of MDP using addition of waste paper impregnated.

Medium Density Particleboard (MDF) Produced with <i>Pinus caribaea</i> Fibers and Castor Oil Based Polyurethane Resin

This study aimed to investigate the possibility of using castor-oil based polyurethane resin (PU), formulated with 30 % solids and 70 % solvent, in production of Medium Density Fiberboards (MDF) with Pinus caribaea fibers and two percentages of adhesive (5 and 10%). Six panels were fabricated under 4MPa pressing pressure, 190°C temperature. Initial moisture content of fibers was 9%. Properties investigated were: density of the panels; modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus or rupture (MOR) in static bending; and internal adhesion. Requirements of European Code EMB/IS-2 were used for comparison of results. Panels made with 10% of resin presented problems due gases expansion, disrupting the plates. For 5% resin content, mechanical properties investigated were above the requirements of the European Coded values. However, an undesirable odor prevented handling of the resin, in conditions here considered, which motivates the suggestion of new research in order to investigate different ratios between of solids and solvent contents, to completely enable the use of castor-oil based polyurethane resin MDF manufacture.

Sustainable strategies analysis through Life Cycle Assessment: a case study in a furniture industry

This article aims to analyze sustainable strategies by assessing the environmental performance of a wardrobe built from medium density particleboard. For this, the Life cycle assessment technique was used. The product life cycle studied was a cradle-to-gate type, including three main stages: raw materials supply, wardrobe manufacturing and distribution of the wardrobe. The functional unit was 40 kg of stored goods/5 years and the reference flow was one wardrobe unit. The LCA modeling process was undertaken using the GaBi software, Professional 4.4 version based on attributional modeling and the EDIP-97 method. The life cycle assessment results indicated that the most significant environmental impacts occur at the stages of raw materials supply and the distribution of the wardrobe, and the most relevant impact categories were human toxicity, global warming and acidification, totaling 68.0% of the overall life cycle impacts. Based on this results and a literature review of life cycle assessment studies of furniture products, two sustainable strategies were presented: to optimize transport system and the use of alternatives raw materials during the manufacturing of medium density particleboard. In addition, three scenarios for the production of the medium density particleboard were analyzed with focus on using recycled wood as raw material instead of virgin wood. The results showed that use of 100% wood waste was more sustainable because there was a global minimization of potential impacts. These conclusions can assist furniture and the wood-based panel industries in improving their environmental profile and encourage research about alternative options to promote cleaner production of furniture components in a life cycle perspective.

Life cycle assessment of medium density particleboard (MDP) produced in Brazil

Purpose The wood panel industry is one of the most important forest-based industries in Brazil. The medium density particleboard (MDP) is currently produced and consumed worldwide and represents about 50 % of the wood panel industry in Brazil. Unlike other regions, Brazilian MDP is produced from dedicated eucalyptus plantations and heavy fuel oil is an important energy source in MDP manufacture, which may result in a different environmental profile. This paper presents a life cycle assessment of MDP panel produced in Brazil and suggests improvement opportunities by assessing alternative production scenarios.

Effect of dowels and adhesive types on withdrawal strength in particleboard and MDF

Composite materials and wooden dowels are being used increasingly in the construction of furniture frames and inner decoration. However, there is little information available concerning the withdrawal strength of various fasteners and in particular, dowels in these materials. The aim of this study was to determine the withdrawal strengths of 6, 8, and 10 mm diameter dowels produced from different wood species bonded parallel or vertical to the surfaces of a medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or particleboard with poly vinylacetate or Desmodur (D-VTKA). According to TS 4539 standard, the effect of dowel species, direction of withdrawal, board type and the type of adhesive on the withdrawal strength were determined. The highest (8.35 N/mm2) withdrawal strength was obtained for oak dowels bonded with D-VTKA adhesive vertically to the surface of MDF. This value is higher than the predictive expression that allows designers to estimate the withdrawal strength of dowels.