Larch bark as a formaldehyde scavenger in thermal insulation panels

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the formaldehyde content and emissions of bark-based insulation panels bonded with three types of adhesives: urea formaldehyde, melamine urea-formaldehyde, and tannin-based adhesives. These panels were produced at two levels of density—300 and 500 kg/m3—and a thickness of 20 mm, and the influence of the adhesive amount and type on the formaldehyde emissions and content was measured. Other mechanical and physical properties such as modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, internal bond, and dimensional stability were also scrutinized. With one exception, all the panels belonged to the super E0 classification for free formaldehyde content (perforator value ≤1.5 mg/100 g oven dry mass of panels). The measurements using the desiccator method for formaldehyde emissions assigned all the testing specimens in the F **** category for low-emission panels according to the Japanese International Standards.