Effect of Multi-Hydroxyl Polymer-Treated MUF Resin on the Mechanical Properties of Particleboard Manufactured with Reed Straw

The poor bonding performance between aqueous adhesives represented by melamine-urea formaldehyde(MUF)resins and reed straw hinders their applications in the field of non-wood-based panels.Multi-hydroxyl polymers are highly reactive and are often used as crosslinkers.This study fabricated a resin with a strengthened crosslinked structure by combining a multi-hydroxyl polymer and MUF resin prepolymer.The reed particleboard was prepared by using this resin as an adhesive and reed stalk as the matrix.The results show that neighboring molecules combined to form C–O–C bonds that strengthened the cross-linked structure of the resin.In addition,the viscosity of the resin was increased,and a continuous adhesive layer on the surface of reed particles was formed,which slowed the penetration of reed particles.The adhesive layer significantly improved the mechanical properties of the reed particleboard.The maximum modulus of rupture(MOR),modulus of elasticity(MOE),and internal bonding strength(IB)of the reed particleboard were 33.53,4126,and 0.79 MPa,respectively.The IB of the board was 3.3 times higher than that of the reed particleboard prepared with a conventional MUF resin.Reed straw is a non-wood biomass material that has the advantage of sustainable development and may replace woodbased materials to produce particleboard.This resin-prepared reed particleboard is expected to be used in areas such as custom furniture and engineering materials.

Self-Cross-Linked Tannin-Aminated Tannin Surface Coatings for Particleboard

Aminated tannins were prepared by reacting mimosa condensed tannin extract with ammonia yielding the substitution of many,if not all of the tannin hydroxyl groups with–NH_(2)groups.A tannin-aminated tannin(ATT)particleboard coating was then prepared by reacting raw tannin extract with aminated tannin extract and thus cross-linking the two by substituting tannin’s hydroxyl groups with the–NH_(2)groups on the aminated tannin to form–NH-bridges between the two.The resulting particleboard coating gave encouraging results when pressed at 180℃for 3 min.Conversely,the system in which tannin was reacted/cross-liked with urea(ATU)by a similar amination reaction did not perform as well as the ATT system,and this even when a higher curing temperature and longer hot press time were used.In particular its water repellence was worse probably due to the presence of urea and such a system with lower reactivity.Nonetheless,substituting the tannin–OHs with the urea–NH_(2)groups appeared to also take place.ATT gave better results than ATU as regards water repellence and mechanical resistance as shown by the cross cut test.The ATT system was shown to be between 95%and 98%biosourced.The difference appeared to be due,by TMA analysis,to the much faster formation of the ATT hardened network leading to a better cross-linked polymer coating.The chemical species formed for both the ATT and ATU system were studied by MALDI ToF and CP MAS^(13)C NMR.

Cement-bonded particleboard with a mixture of wheat straw and poplar wood

We investigated the hydration behavior and some physical/mechanical properties of cement-bonded particleboard （CBPB） containing particles of wheat straw and poplar wood at various usage ratios and bonded with Portland cement mixed with different levels of inorganic additives. We determined the setting time and compression strength of cement pastes containing different additives and particles, and studied the effects of these additives and particles on thickness swelling, internal bond strength and modulus of rupture of CBPB by using RSM （Response Surface Methodology）. The mathematical model equations （second-order response functions） were derived to optimize properties of CBPB by computer simulation programming. Predicted values were in agreement with experimental values （R2 values of 0.93, 0.96 and 0.96 for TS, IB and MOR, respectively）. RSM can be efficiently applied to model panel properties. The variables can affect the properties of panels. The cement composites with bending strength 〉 12.5 MPa and internal bond strength 〉 0.28 MPa can be made by using wheat straw as a reinforcing material. Straw particle usage up to 11.5% in the mixture satisfies the minimum requirements of International Standard, EN 312 （2003） for IB and MOR. The dose of 4.95% calcium chloride, by weight of cement, can improve mechanical properties of the panels at the minimum requirement of EN 312. By increasing straw content from 0 to 30%, TS was reduced by increasing straw particle usage up to 1.5% and with 5.54% calcium chloride in the mixture, TS satisfied the EN 312 standard.

Biological performance of particleboard incorporated with boron minerals

We compared resistance to decay, mold fungi, termites and insect larvae of particleboards incorporated with the raw boron minerals ulexite and colemanite to that of particleboards impregnated with the commercial boron preservative zinc borate, or boric acid plus a borax mixture. We also quantified water absorption, thickness swell and boron release of particleboards. Ulexite had the best decay resistance, and colemanite had the best termite resistance. However, ulexite and colemanite were not as effective as zinc borate or the boric acid/borax mixture in preventing mold growth. In general, the boric acid/borax mixture combination was more effective against Anobium larvae than the other treatments. Less boron was released by specimens containing zinc borate and colemanite than by those containing ulexite or the boric acid/borax mixture. In general, water absorption and thickness swell were similar among the different treatments, but both were slightly higher in the ulexite-incorporated specimens. Further mechanical tests will be needed to evaluate the particle- board properties and thereby the compatibility of these boron minerals with various manufacturing processes.

Preparation and properties of waste tea leaves particleboard

Urea-formaldehyde （UF） adhesive is the main source of formaldehyde emission from UF-bonded boards. The components in waste tea leaves can react with formaldehyde to serve as a raw material in the production of low formaldehyde emission boards. In our study, waste tea leaves and UF adhesive were employed in the preparation of waste tea leaves particleboard （WTLB）. An orthogonal experimental method was applied to investigate the effects of process parameters on formaldehyde emission and mechanical properties of WTLB. The results indicated that： 1） waste tea leaves had the ability to abate formaldehyde emission from boards; and 2） density of the WTLB was a significant factor affecting its modulus of rupture （MOR）, modulus of elasticity （MOE） and internal bonding （IB）.

Use of amino silane coupling agent to improve physical and mechanical properties of UF-bonded wheat straw(Triticum aestivum L.) poplar wood particleboard

We evaluated the potential use of amino silane coupling agent （SiNH） to improve physical and mechanical properties of UF-bonded wheat straw （Triticurn aestivum L.） poplar wood particleboard. We examined the effects of varied content of silane coupling agent content and ratios of straw to poplar wood particles on particleboard prop- erties. The ratios of straw to poplar wood particles were 100：0, 85：15, 70：30 and 55：45. Silane coupling agent content was tested at three levels, 0, 5 and 10 %. The experimental panels were tested for their mechanical strength, including modulus of elasticity （MOE）, modulus of rupture （MOR）, intemal bonding （IB） and physical properties according to procedures specified in DIN 68763 （Chipboard for special purposes in building construction： concepts, requirements, testing, 1982-03, 1982）. All board properties were improved by the addition of silane cou- pling agent. The use of poplar wood particles had a positive effect on the mechanical properties of wheat straw parti- cleboard but had a negative effect on physical properties （thickness swelling and water absorption）.

Gypsum-bonded particleboard manufactured from agricultural based material

Gypsum-bonded particleboard(GBPB) panels were made from various mixtures of particles of bagasse(Saccharum officinarum L.) and wheat straw(Triticum aestivum L.), bonded with different ratios of particle/gypsum. This study examined the feasibility of bagasse and wheat straw particles in the production of GBPB. One-layer experimental GBPBs with a density of 1.05 or 1.20 g·cm 3were manufactured at different ratios of bagasse/wheat straw, i.e., 100%/0%, 93.75%/6.25%, 87.5%/12.5%, 75%/25%, 50%/50%, 25%/75% and 0%/100% using two particle/ gypsum composite ratios, i.e., 1/2.75 and 1/3.25 by weight. Thickness swelling(TS), water absorption(WA), modulus of rupture(MOR), modulus of elasticity(MOE) and internal bond strength(IB) properties of the boards were evaluated and a statistical analysis was performed in order to examine the possible feasibility of these agricultural residues for use in commercial GBPB manufacturing. We determined that WA of panels decreases as the amount of straw increases to 100% and the LR/G(wood/gypsum) ratio decreases to 1/3.25, whereas the TS of panels decreases as the proportion of straw decreases to 0% and the LR/G ratio increases to 1/2.75. The experimental results also show that the MOR and MOE of panels containing 0%, 6.25% and 12.5% wheat straw with a LR/G ratio of 1/2.75 were higher than those of panels made from 25%–100% wheat straw with a LR/G ratio of 1/2.75, as well as those from all other percentages of straw with a LR/G ratio of 1/3.25. On the other hand, the IB of panels containing more than 12.5% straw with LR/G ratios of 1/2.75 and 1/3.25 were lower than those of panels made from 0–12.5% straw also with both LR/G ratios. Panels consisting of 0%, 6.25% and 12.5% wheat straw with LR/G ratios of 1/2.75 and 1/3.25 met the minimum EN standard requirements of mechanical properties for general purposes. All of the panels containing 0–100% wheat straw with a LR/ G ratio of 1/2.75 or 1/3.25 met the required level of TS for 24-h immersion.

Observation and Analysis of Gypsum Particleboard using SEM

The microstructures of gypsum board and gypsum particleboard were observed by SEM. The effects of retarder and waterproof agent on the shape and the average dimension of the gypsum crystal were discussed. The mechanism was investigated as well. Four typical instances, i e, the gypsum crystal shape, the gypsum combined with particles on the particles surface, the gypsum combined with particles on the wood cross section and the gypsum combined with particles inside the wood cell cavity were selected and observed. Furthermore, the agglomeration and cementation mechanism between gypsum and particle were studied.

The effect of urea pretreatment on the formaldehyde emission and properties of straw particleboard

For manufacturing low-formaldehyde emission particleboard from wheat straw and urea-formaldehyde （UF） resins using urea treatment for indoor environments, we investigated the influence of urea treatment on the formaldehyde emission, physical and mechanical properties of the manufactured particleboard. Wheat straws were treated at three levels of urea concentration （5%, 10%, 15%） and 95℃ as holding temperature. Wheat straw particleboards were manufactured using hot press at 180℃ and 3 MPa with two types of UF adhesive （UF-45, UF-91）. Then the formaldehyde emission values, physical properties and mechanical properties were considered. The results show that the for- maldehyde emission value was decreased by increasing urea concentration. Furthermore, the results indicate that the specimens under urea treatment have better mechanical and physical properties compared with control specimens. Also specimens under urea treatment at 10% concentration and UF-91 type adhesive have the most optimum physical and mechanical strength.

No-Aldehydes Glucose/Sucrose-Triacetin-Diamine Wood Adhesives for Particleboard

A three reagents adhesive system for wood particleboards not containing any aldehyde was developed by the reaction of glucose or sucrose with triacetin(glycerin triacetate)and with hexamethylene diamine.The system was found to be based on the mix of three reactions,namely the reaction of(i)glucose with triacetin,(ii)of the diamine with triacetin,and(iii)of glucose with the diamine.The chemical species formed were identified by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight(MALDI-ToF)mass spectrometry.Wood particleboard panels were prepared with this adhesive system and gave good internal bond(IB)strength results suitable for interior grade panels and with extremely low formaldehyde emission.

Durability characteristics of cement-bonded particleboards manufactured from maize stalk residue

Cement-bonded particleboards of 6 mm in thickness were manufactured using maize stalk （Zea mays） particles of uniform sizes at three levels of board density and additive concentrations respectively. The bending strength and dimensional properties were assessed. Increase in board density and additive concentration caused increase in Modulus of rupture （MOR）, Modulus of elasticity （MOE）, and decrease in Thickness swelling （TS） and Water absorption （WA）. The MOR, MOE and TS of the boards were significantly affected by board density except for WA, but additive concentration affected all the boards＇ properties examined at p ≥ 0.05. Strong and dimensional stable cement-bonded boards could be manufactured from maize stalk particles with Portland cement as the binder after hot water treatment. Although the dimensional stability and mechanical strength properties of the boards were affected by the board density and additive concentration, the study revealed that cement-bonded particleboards could be manufactured from maize stalk （Zea mays） particles. However, the increase in board density and additive concentration could cause the increase in MOR and MOE, and cause the decrease in TS and WA of boards.

ANALYSIS OF COMPUTER VISION ON RESIN EFFICIENCY IN PARTICLEBOARD

This paper summarized the previous researches about resin emciency of particleboard in the world, and introduced the computer vision (CV) technique on resin effciency. which has the properties of high measuring speed, automatic pattern recognition and low environmental requirement. etc. The theory of the CV technique used for resin effciency in particleboard was studied,along with the handling of resined-particle images and the gathering of relative gray image features. Some quantitative parameters describing the resin efficiency of particleboard were established, and the results indicated that the computer vision method on the resin effciency was much better than others and can control the producing of pafticleboard more effect.

Bonding Mechanism of Bamboo Particleboards Made by Laccase Treatment

Using 1–8 years bamboo as materials,the content of different chemical constituent was tested,and the reactive oxygen species(ROS)free radicals produced from laccase treated bamboo were detected by electron spin-resonance(ESR)spectroscope.The wet-process particleboard was made from laccase-treated bamboo by hot pressing and board mechanical properties including internal bond strength(IB),modulus of rupture(MOR)and thickness swelling(TS)after 2-hours water absorption were tested under different conditions.Results showed that laccase mainly catalyze the bamboo components and improved the bonding strength of laccase-treated boards.By ESR measurement on each single component such as milled bamboo lignin,xylan and pore cotton treated with laccase,it was proved that laccase helped the degradation of bamboo lignin to produce ROS free radicals and could not catalyze the oxidation of cellulose and hemicelluloses.A logarithmic function relationship was found between board mechanical properties and ROS free radical level.It is optimal to using 5-year-old bamboo for high efficient utilization.The laccase treatment improves the activity of bamboo particles participating in self-adhesion reaction.

LARCH BARK TANNIN ADHESIVE FOR EXTERIOR PARTICLEBOARD

The larch bark tannins were used to make adhesive for particleboard. The tanninadhesive in which 60% phcnol was replaced by tannin has 1 - 1 .5 month storage life and its cost is lower than that of PF resin. At the 10% and 9% rcsin solids content on dry wood chips, larch particleboard and poplar particleboard were made respectively. The physical properties of boards can meet the nccds of cxterior particleboard in German Standard DIN68763 V 100.

Evaluation of formaldehyde emission from particleboard using the large chamber and desiccator method at various loading ratios

We studied formaldehyde emission from uncoated particleboard with 16-mm thickness using the large chamber and the desiccator method. A chamber of 28.4 m3 was installed to simulate a mobile home. The formaldehyde off-gassing properties of particleboard were evaluated using the chamber. The relationship between the concentration obtained by the chamber and the values by the desiccator test was discussed in this study under different conditions of conditioning day, air exchange, and loading ratio. These two methods were compared and discussed regarding the formaldehyde emission level. Three loading ratios, 0.429 m2/m3, 0.264 m2/m3, and 0.132 m2/m3, were chosen to represent different applications of particleboard products. There was strong correlation between emissions and air exchange rates at equal product-loading ratios in the large chamber, the related coefficient R 2 exceeded 0.90. There was also an indication of a generic correlation between the large chamber and the two-hour desiccator test with a single product designated loading ratio, air exchange rate, and climatic conditions.

A METHOD TO IMPROVE DIMENSIONAL STABILITY OF PF PARTICLEBOARD

A method of alkaline pretreatment of particles was designed to produce three types of chips. The pretreatmentet of particles in 1% water solution of NaOH for 30 minutes offered a possibility of producing PF bonded particleboards with minimal irrecoverable swell and a reduction in thickness swelling. The method used in this work could be used to produce more stable PF particeboard.

The influence of silane coupling agent and poplar particles on the wettability, surface roughness, and hardness of UF-bonded wheat straw(Triticum aestivum L.)/poplar wood particleboard

We used silane coupling agents to improve the bonding ability between wheat straw particles and UF resin, and investigated surface properties （wettability and surface roughness） and hardness of parti-cleboard made from UF-bonded wheat straw （Triticum aestivum L.） combined with poplar wood as affected by silane coupling agent content and straw/poplar wood particle ratios. We manufactured one-layered particleboard panels at four different ratios of straw to poplar wood par-ticles （0%, 15%, 30% and 45% wheat straw） and silane coupling agent content at three levels of 0, 5% and 10%. Roughness measurements, average roughness （Ra）, mean peak-to-valley height （Rz）, and root mean square roughness （Rq） were measured on unsanded samples by using a fine stylus tracing technique. We obtained contact angle measurements by using a goniometer connected to a digital camera and computer sys-tem. Boards containing greater amounts of poplar particles had superior hardness compared to control samples and had lower wettability. Panels made with higher amounts of silane had lower Rq values.

A MCDM-based model for vendor selection:a case study in the particleboard industry

We investigated procurement of raw materials for particleboard to minimize costs and develop an efficient optimization model for product mix. In a multiple-vendor market, vendors must be evaluated based on specified criteria. Assuming sourcing from the highest-scoring vendors, annual purchase quantities are then planned. To meet procure- ment needs, we first propose a model to describe the problem. Then, an appropriate multi-criteria decision making （MCDM） technique is se- lected to solve it. We ran the model using commercial software such as LINGO~ and then compared the model results to a real case involving one of the largest particleboard manufacturers in the region. The model run based real data yielded a procurement program that is more efficient and lower in cost than the program currently in use. Use of this procurement modelling approach would yield considerable financial returns.

THE EFFECTS OF WETTING AND REDRYING CYCLE ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF PARTICLEBOARD

The physical properties of six type particleboards bonded with different formaldehydebased resins were tested. arer wetting and redrying, Uiree PF bonded boards retained much higher pro portion of their initial dry strength than the boards bonded with resins containing urea. The strength lossis the results of mechanical forces, caused by particle movement, breaking adhesive bonds.

PARTICLEBOARD STRESS RELAXATION THROUGHOUT MECHANO-SORPTIVE CREEP OF GLUELINES

A review on methods for controlling the dimensional stability of particleboards. a second pressing at the same temperature as the first pressing may possibly have three main effects on PF resin bonded particleboard durability: (a) the effect of mechano-sorptive behaviour; (b) the effect of softening of cell wall polymers, (c) the improvement of cure of PF resins. Effects (a) and (b) may accelerate the removal of the recoverable part of residual compressive strain replace of it with the development of the viscous component, thus, relax the compressive stresses.