Effects of Activated Carbon on Medium Density Fiber Board Properties

Abstract

The negative effects of formaldehyde emission in MDF production on human health are known, and therefore many scientists are working to reduce formaldehyde emissions. In this study, the effects of MDF plates on formaldehyde emission were investigated by adding different amounts of activated carbon into urea formaldehyde resin during the synthesis phase. First, the gelation time behavior of the resin was studied by observing the pH, gelation time, solid content, flow time and viscosity of the modified resin in comparison to the standard reference resin which has no activated carbon inside. The dosing of the activated charcoal in the dry resin was kept at 1wt%, 3wt% and 5wt%. After that modified resin was used in the production of 40x40 cm2 MDF samples by using laboratory scale press line with full automation system. İnternal bonding strength, surface soundness, screw holding resistance, water absorption and thickness swelling were also measured in addition to the main interested parameter formaldehyde emission level which is determined via spectrometric technique following an extraction procedure. Threshold values for activated carbon were determined to be 1wt%. Formaldehyde emission level was observed where addition of 1wt% activated carbon into the urea formaldehyde adhesive decreased the formaldehyde emission 52% comparison to reference whereas addition of activated carbon at above its threshold level provided 47% decreasing.

Keywords

• activated carbon
• formaldehyde emission
• MDF
• adsorbent

References

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