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Dimensional stability of MDF panels produced from fibres treated with maleated polypropylene wax

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Abstract

Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) was produced from fibres treated with maleated polypropylene wax. The objectives of this study were to improve the dimensional stability of MDF panels by this treatment; to observe the maleated polypropylene wax distribution within the MDF panels using conventional fluorescence microscopy; and to determine the effects of the treatment on the mechanical properties and vertical density profile of the panels. MDF panels were produced from two resin types (urea-formaldehyde and melamine-urea-formaldehyde) and three maleated polypropylene wax contents (0, 3 and 5%). Photomicrographs show that maleated polypropylene wax forms agglomerates within the MDF panels which is an evidence of its poor distribution in our experimental conditions. Our results show an important reduction on thickness swelling and water absorption after water soaking for panels produced from treated fibres. Linear expansion and contraction in adsorption and desorption conditions between 80 and 50% relative humidity increased following fibre treatment. However, thickness swelling and shrinkage in similar conditions showed an important reduction following fibre treatment. The fibre treatment did not have negative effects on the mechanical properties or the vertical density profile of MDF panels. The modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity in bending were increased by the treatment independently of maleated polypropylene wax content. The internal bond strength increased following the addition of 5% maleated polypropylene wax content.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the CNPQ, Conselho National de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Brazil, for a scholarship awarded to Rosilei A. Garcia, to Uniboard Canada Inc., Panneaux MDF La-Baie panel plant, for providing the wood chips, sawdust and shavings and to NSERC for funding under Individual Research Grant 121954-02. We also thank Forintek Canada Corporation, Eastern Laboratory, for fibre refining and Mr Serge Plamondon for technical assistance.

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  1. Centre de recherche sur le bois (CRB), Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Université Laval, G1K 7P4, Québec, QC, Canada

    Rosilei A. Garcia, Alain Cloutier & Bernard Riedl

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  1. Rosilei A. Garcia
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  2. Alain Cloutier
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  3. Bernard Riedl
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Correspondence to Rosilei A. Garcia.

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Garcia, R.A., Cloutier, A. & Riedl, B. Dimensional stability of MDF panels produced from fibres treated with maleated polypropylene wax. Wood Sci Technol 39, 630–650 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-005-0028-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-005-0028-7

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