Recycling of Powders from Cutting of Medium Density Fiberboard

Abstract

Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is a wood-based engineered material, largely implemented in the manufacturing of in-house structures. Large panels are usually manufactured and shaped via machining; in this way powders are produced. Dismissed structures can also be pulverized to facilitate transportation of waste. MDF is generally dismissed through landfill or incineration. The aim of this work is to determine a recycling method for MDF powders that make it possible to obtain ready-to-use panels without using virgin or additional materials. Powders granulometry is evaluated and then grains are “direct molded” by a parallel plate hot press. Compression molding was used for this aim. Recycled panels had the size of 200x200 mm2, a thickness of 5 mm, and a smooth surface without evident defects. Burrs were absent. Mechanical properties were evaluated under bending test, and a maximum strength over 8 MPa was found. Results show the feasibility of this recycling technology for MDF powders. Agglomeration occurred thanks to the powder re-activation, and possible residual reactivity.