Study on the effect of urea addition to urea-formaldehyde adhesive on physical and mechanical properties of poplar particleboard

Abstract

In this research, the effect of increasing content of urea to urea-formaldehyde adhesive on physical and mechanical properties of poplar wood particleboard was investigated. The content of urea added to the adhesive four levels (zero, 4.1, 8.2 and 16 % based on the solid content of adhesive) and two press temperatures of 170 and 180° C as the variable factors were selected. Boards with density of 0.63 gr/cm3 and 10% of the adhesive dosage were made. Mechanical properties including modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond (IB) and physical properties including water absorption and thickness swelling were measured. Results showed that urea addition to urea formaldehyde adhesive improved the mechanical strengths of the board especially internal bonding reduced the water absorption and thickness swelling. Also, the impact of press temperature on mechanical and physical properties of boards was noticeable and boards produced applying press temperature of 170° C were superior.

Keywords

• POPLAR
• UREA FORMALDEHYDE
• Urea
• modulus of rupture (MOR)
• INTERNAL BONDING (IB)
• water absorption
• Thickness swelling