Effects of Wastepaper Pulp and Its Level on The Properties of Particleboard

Abstract

The effects of waste pulp fiber on the mechanical, physical, and technological properties of particleboard were investigated. For this purpose, 1.5%, 3%, 4.5%, and 6% were added to the middle layer of the chip blank. As an adhesive, 7% urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin was used in the middle layer and 12% in the top layer, in proportion to the dry chip weight. Chip blanks were pressed in a hydraulic press at 195 ± 5 °C, 30 kg/cm² pressure, and for 300 s, whereby test samples with dimensions of 550 x 550 x 19 mm³ and a density of 630 kg/m³ were produced. The 3% waste pulp fiber utilization provided optimum values, such as 7.3% and 27.2% improvements in bending strength and elastic modulus, respectively. However, 6.6% and 9.7% increases in thickness swelling (24 h) and water absorption (24 h) were observed. Moreover, there was a 24.6% increase in formaldehyde emissions. According to the results, it can be said that waste paper pulp fiber could be an alternative to wood raw material in particleboard production at low levels of addition.