Physical and mechanical properties of three-layer particleboards bonded with UF and UMF adhesives

Abstract

A low dimensional stability and poor bending strength properties were main problems in particleboard manufacturing. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of mixed wood species and urea-formaldehyde (UF) or urea-melamine-formaldehyde (UMF) resins on the physical and mechanical properties of three-layer particleboards. The ratio of face/core/back layer was 1 : 2 : 1. The resin content of 12% for both UF resins and UMF resins (UF/MF = 70/30% w/w) was used. The results of this study showed that the utilization of S.mahagony shaving using both UF and UMF resins caused a decrease in the thickness swelling and water absorption of the boards. Thickness swellings of particleboard made of Sengon/Sengon/Sengon (SSS), Mahogany/Mahogany/Mahogany (MMM), Sengon/Mahogany/Sengon (SMS), and Mahogany/Sengon/Mahogany (MSM) were in the range of 23%, 12∼16%, 14∼16%, and 13∼21%, respectively. The board bonded with UMF resin demonstrated better dimensional stability than that bonded with UF resin alone. Modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) of particleboards made of S. mahagony shaving in the surface layer in both MMM and MSM boards were better than those of the SSS and SMS. MOE of MMM and MSM board was in the ranges of 24,000 to 26,000 kg.cm-2 and 18,000 to 21,000 kg.cm-2 respectively. Meanwhile, the MOR of board was in the ranges of 200 to 240 kg.cm-2 and 190 to 228 kg.cm-2, respectively.