The temperature behaviour inside the mat of wood-based panel during hot pressing under various manufacturing conditions

Abstract

This study focused on the heat transfer involved in hot pressing. The temperature behaviour inside the mat of wood-based panels according to the manufacturing conditions—such as mat moisture level, furnish material, and press temperature—was characterised. Hinoki strands and ring-flaker recycled wood particles were used for experimental panel production. Temperature behaviour was measured at the surface and the centre of the mat. The results indicate that the manufacturing condition affected the temperature behaviour of the mat during hot pressing. Plateau time increased with increasing mat moisture content and utilisation of hinoki strands but decreased with increasing press temperature. Use of hinoki strands resulted in a higher plateau temperature than did recycled wood particles. The higher mat moisture content and press temperature resulted in a higher plateau temperature. Furnish type also affected heat conductivity in the mat centre after the completion of the plateau.