Microfibrillated-cellulose-modified urea-formaldehyde adhesives with different F/U molar ratios for wood-based composites

The relationship between urea–formaldehyde (UF) adhesives (E0 and E1 classes) and microfibrillated-cellulose (MFC) and its effect on the mechanical properties of laminated veneer lumbers (LVLs) were investigated. Bending strength, modulus of elasticity in bending, and tensile shear strength of the LVLs were determined. The morphology, gel time, viscosity, and acidity of the modified UF adhesives were also investigated. The tensile shear strength of the LVLs significantly increased (2.89 to 3.35 N/mm²) as the MFC suspension was increased to 3.75 g in the 7.50 g E0 class UF adhesive, while it slightly increased (3.10 to 3.16 N/mm²) as the MFC suspension was increased to 2.5 g in the 8.75 g E1 class UF adhesive. The results showed that the bond performance of the E0 class adhesive with the MFC was better than that of the E1 class adhesive with the MFC. The MFC was found to be valuable nanoscale reinforcing filler for the improvement of bond performance of UF adhesive, in particular, E0 class adhesive, in the production of wood-based composites.     

Effects of Adding Unsaturated Polyester to the PVAC Adhesive on the Dimensional Stability of Laminated Veneer Lumber

Many properties of wood are affected by changes in moisture content below the fiber saturation point of wood. In this study, the dimensional stability of laminated veneer lumber (LVL), according to TSI EN 4084 and EN 4086, was evaluated. For this purpose Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) LVL panels were used. Panels of LVL were manufactured from cut veneers, and poly-vinyl acetate (PVAc), unsaturated polyester (uPE) and mixtures of them, as adhesives. Laminated veneer lumber panels with 4 plies and 5 mm in thickness were produced for each group. Depending on the adhesive type, the swelling and water absorption of the samples were measured by determining the weight increase in the two conditions of oven dried and being above the fiber saturation point. The lowest volumetric swelling of the Scots pine was measured as 10.4% bonded with 100% PVAc (control) and the highest volumetric swelling was measured as 13.8% bonded with 90% PVAc and 10% unsaturated polyester. The lowest volumetric swelling of the Oriental beech was measured as 17.2% bonded with 100% PVAc (control) and the highest volumetric swelling was found to be 21.8% bonded with 90% PVAc and 10% unsaturated polyester. Statistical analysis results show that adding unsaturated polyester to the PVAc increased the volumetric swelling and water absorption levels of both the Scots pine and Oriental beech LVL panels.     

The effect of steam treatment on bonding strength of impregnated wood materials

In wood materials, the species of wood, its humidity, and the type of the adhesive have an important role to make the wood material durable for a long period both in inner space and outer space. In this study, it is aimed to determine the resistance characteristics of adhesive using different impregnation chemicals and different types of adhesives before and after steam treatment. In this study, beech and poplar as wood materials; mixture of Protim-WR 235, Tanalith-C, and Celcure-AC 500 as impregnation materials; and poly vinyl acetate (PVAc), urea formaldehyde (UF), and desmodur vinyl trie ketonol acetate (D-VTKA), resistant to water, as adhesives materials were used. All samples were kept in a steaming equipment for 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96?h, afterwards the maximum force of the samples were measured for each waiting period, and then their bonding strength was determined. According to the results of the study, beech control samples had higher strength than poplar control samples. Control samples bonded with D-VTKA is the least affected one compared to all original control samples in the steam test. D-VTKA can be offered as the proper adhesive for humid places. The results also showed that Tanalith-C is the least affecting impregnation material on the bonding strength.     

Effect of Some Chemicals on Thermal Conductivity of Impregnated Laminated Veneer Lumbers Bonded with Poly(vinyl acetate) and Melamine–Formaldehyde Adhesives

Thermal conductivity is a very important parameter in determining heat transfer rate and is required for the development of drying models and for the industrial operations such as adhesive cure rate. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of impregnation on the thermal conductivity of six-layered laminated veneer lumber (LVL) made of beech and pine. Boric acid, zinc chloride, and ammonium sulfate were used as impregnation chemicals and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and melamine-formaldehyde (MF) adhesives as bonding agent were used to produce LVLs. The veneers were impregnated by using the vacuum-pressure method. The thermal conductivity test was performed based on ASTM C 1113-99 hot-wire method. Results showed that the impregnation chemicals increase the thermal conductivity. As impregnation chemicals the highest values were obtained with boric acid and zinc chloride. In addition, the thermal conductivity of LVL made of beech was higher than that of LVL made of pine. The thermal conductivity of LVL bonded with PVAc was absolutely higher than LVL bonded with MF in both wood species.     

Bond strength/disbonding behavior and dimensional stability of wood materials with different adhesives

In this study, we aimed to describe the effects of adhesives [poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), Desmodur vinyl trie ketonol acetate, and urea formaldehyde (UF)] on wooden materials (Scotch pine and oriental beech) cut tangentially and radially impregnated with Protim Solignum, chromate copper arsenate (CCA), and Celcure AC 500 and exposed to humidity and water and heat‐resistance, heating, and cooling tests. For the adhesives, the highest swelling (4.3%) was obtained for oriental beech bonded with UF and cut radially, and the lowest swelling (1%) was obtained for Scotch pine bonded with PVAc and cut radially. For the control samples, the humidity‐resistance, water‐resistance, heat‐resistance, and heating and cooling tests decreased the bonding strength. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Effects of dowels produced from various materials on withdrawal strength in MDF and Pb

Wood dowels are commonly used in the construction furniture, but little information is available about the additive effects of dowels on the ultimate withdrawal strength of single or multidowel joints. This study was carried out to determine the tensile strength of 10‐mm‐diameter dowels produced from medium‐density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and beech (Fagus orientalis lipsky), bonded parallel and vertical to the surface of MDF and particleboard (Pb) with poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and Desmodur‐VTKA (D‐VTKA). Tensile strength was applied to the dowels according to the procedure in the ASTM‐D 1037 standard. The effects of dowel species, direction of tensile, composite material, and type of adhesive on tensile strength were determined. The results showed that the highest tensile strength was obtained in beech dowels bonded vertically with PVAc adhesive to the surface of MDF at 7.91 N/mm². If the dowels used in furniture production are subjected to great tensile strength, beech dowels bonded with PVAc adhesive on MDF should be used. However, when dowels produced from MDF and plywood waste are used, they also can produce positive results. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 531–535, 2003     

The effect on shear strength of different surfacing techniques in Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) bonded joints

The selection of the most appropriate surfacing technique is influential in the success of bonding, painting and varnishing processes. The objective of the study was to determine which surfacing technique was the most appropriate when applied as the final process in the production of structural wood members, which were subjected to shearing. The study also includes the effect on shear strength of the variables, such as type of wood, plane of cut, type of adhesive and pressing pressure, as they are directly related to the main objective of the study. In view of this objective, the changes in shear strength on radial and tangential cut surfaces of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) woods having different roughness values as a result of sawing with a circular ripsaw, planing and sanding, and bonded with polyurethane (PU) and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) adhesives at 3, 6 and 9 MPa pressure, were studied. The 936 specimens prepared with the objective of determining the effects of variables on bond performance were subjected to a shear test in a universal test equipment in accordance with the ASTM D 905-98 standard. The highest shear strength (13.85 N/mm²) was obtained for the Oriental beech specimens cut from their tangential surfaces with a circular ripsaw, which were glued with PVAc adhesive by applying a pressure of 9 MPa. The lowest value (4.22 N/mm²) was obtained in the specimens planed from their tangential surfaces, which were glued with PU adhesive by applying a pressure of 3 MPa. The specimens obtained from Oriental beech wood showed a higher shear strength compared to the specimens obtained from Scotch pine. In general, in both species of wood, the specimens glued with PVAc adhesive, both on the tangential surfaces and on the radial surfaces, produced higher shear strengths compared to the specimens glued with PU adhesive.     

Effects of adding nano-clay (montmorillonite) on performance of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesives in Carapa guianensis,a tropical species

The aim of this study was to improve the bond strength resistance of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesives modified with nano-clay (montmorillonite) with a tropical species of wood known to exhibit adhesion related problems. These adhesives were evaluated with 1.0 and 1.5 wt% nano-clay concentrations with lap shear strength (SS), and the percentage of wood failure (PWF) in dry and wet conditions being evaluated. An additional aim of this study was to observe the presence of nano-clay within both adhesive types using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and the Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Color, viscosity and the thermostability of these adhesives with nano-clay were also evaluated. First, AFM and TEM studies showed adequate dispersion and impregnation of nano-clay. The viscosity of PVAc adhesive was not affected by the incorporation of nano-clay, whereas the UF adhesive was. With both PVAc and UF adhesives, the presence of nano-clay increased the L^⁎ and b^⁎ color parameters, especially when 1.5 wt% nano-clay was used. The incorporation of the nano-clay improved thermostability, as determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Finally, it was shown that the nano-clay incorporation improved SS and PWF. The highest values of SS were obtained when nano-clay was added at 1.5 wt% concentration in the PVAc adhesive under dry conditions. SS was not affected by nano-clay addition in the UF adhesive under dry conditions. However, under wet conditions, both 1.0 and 1.5 wt% loadings of nano-clay increased SS with both adhesive types. The addition of nano-clay in both proportions increased PWF by approximately 15% and between 20–30% in dry and wet conditions, respectively, for the PVAc adhesive. For the UF adhesive, PWF increased by approximately 10% under dry conditions and 25–50% in wet conditions.     

The shear strength of Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) bonded with polyurethane and polyvinyl acetate adhesives

In this study, the change in shear strength on radial and tangential surfaces of Calabrian Pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) wood having different roughness values as the result of sawing with a circular ripsaw, planing and sanding, and bonded with polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) adhesives at the pressure levels of 3, 6, and 9 kgf/cm², was studied. Each of the 360 specimens prepared to determine the effect of the variables on bond performance were subjected to shear test in an universal test machine in accordance with the ASTM D 905–98 standards. The values obtained were analyzed statistically and the results were interpreted. The highest shear strength (11.83 N/mm²) for plane of cut was obtained on the tangential surface after sanding and applying PVAc adhesive with a pressing pressure of 9 kgf/cm². The lowest shear strength (6.01 N/mm²) was obtained in the joinings made on the planed surfaces by using PU adhesive and a pressing pressure of 3 kgf/cm². The highest shear strength (9.10 N/mm²) on the radial surface was obtained after sanding and applying PVAc adhesive and pressing with a pressure of 6 kgf/cm². The lowest shear strength (3.76 N/mm²) was obtained in the specimens whose surfaces were sanded and glued with PU adhesive with a pressing pressure of 3 kgf/cm². In general, in the radial surfaces, just like in the tangential surfaces, the specimens bonded with PVAc exhibited a higher shear strength compared with those glued with PU. According to these results, it is definitely necessary to sand the surfaces prior to the bonding process to have a higher shear strength. The bonding process should be made on the tangential surfaces with higher pressures. The PVAc adhesive should be preferred instead of the PU adhesive. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 3050–3061, 2006     

Evaluation of properties of starch-based adhesives and particleboard manufactured from them

The objective of this study was to evaluate some of the mechanical and physical properties of experimental particleboard panels manufactured from rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) bonded using oil palm starch, wheat starch, and urea formaldehyde (UF) at a density of 0.60 g/cm³. Bending characteristics, internal bond strength, thickness swelling, and water absorptions of the samples were determined based on Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS). Overall mechanical properties for natural binder oil palm starch resulted in higher values than those made from wheat starch. The highest internal-bonding strength (IB) value of 0.41 N/mm² was determined for the samples made from oil palm starch. Dimensional stability in the form of thickness swelling of the samples made from oil palm starch had higher values, ranging from 4.24 to 22.84% than those manufactured from wheat starch. Natural adhesive showed comparable strength with panels manufactured with UF. Overall results meet the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) requirements except for water absorption and thickness swelling of the samples.     

The effect of borax pentahydrate addition to urea formaldehyde on the mechanical characteristics and free formaldehyde content of plywood

In this study, the effects of borax pentahydrate addition to urea formaldehyde (UF) on the bonding characteristics and free formaldehyde content have been studied. Experiments related to the bending strength, withdrawal shear strength and free formaldehyde content have been conducted on the three-layered beech and poplar plywood which are prepared by the addition of borax pentahydrate into their adhesive mixtures in certain amounts. Addition of borax pentahydrate into the adhesive mixture did not statistically affect the bending strength and withdrawal shear strength of the plywood but did reduce the free formaldehyde content.     

Shear strength of calabrian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) bonded with polyurethane and polyvinyl acetate adhesives

In this study, the change in shear strength on radial and tangential surfaces of Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) wood having different roughness values as the result of sawing with a circular ripsaw, planning, and sanding, and bonded with polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) adhesives at the pressure levels of 3, 6, and 9 kg f/cm² were studied. A total of 360 specimens of each, prepared with the objective of being able to determine the effect of the variables on bond performance, were subjected to the shear test in the universal test machine in accordance with the ASTM D 905–98 standard. The values obtained were analyzed statistically and the results were interpreted. The highest shear strength (11.83 N/mm²) for plane of cut was obtained on the tangential surface after sanding and applying PVAc adhesive with a pressing pressure of 9 kg f/cm². The lowest shear strength (6.01 N/mm²) was obtained in the joinings made on the planed surfaces by using PU adhesive and a pressing pressure of 3 kg f/cm². The highest shear strength (9.10 N/mm²) on the radial surface was obtained after sanding and applying PVAc adhesive and pressing with a pressure of 6 kg f/cm². The lowest shear strength (3.76 N/mm²) was obtained in the specimens whose surfaces were sanded and by using PU adhesive and with a pressing pressure of 3 kg f/cm². In general, in the radial surfaces, just like in the tangential surfaces, the specimens bonded with PVAc produced a higher shear strength compared to those glued with PU. According to these results, it is definitely necessary to sand the surfaces prior to the bonding process to have a higher shear strength. The bonding process should be made on the tangential surfaces with higher pressures. The PVAc adhesive should be preferred instead of the PU adhesive. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4856–4867, 2006     

Bonding strength of oak with different adhesives after humid-water-heat tests

Composite materials manufactured from wood with different adhesives are being used increasingly in the construction of furniture frames and buildings. In this study, it is aimed to describe the effects of adhesives (PVAc, VTKA and UF) on white oak cut tangentially and radially impregnated with Protim WR 230, CCA, and Celcure AC 500 and exposed to humid-water-heat resistance and heating and cooling tests. Impregnation chemicals have decreased the bonding strength, and control samples gave higher bonding strength value. According to the control samples, it can be said that humid-resistance test, water-resistance test, heat-resistance test have decreased the bonding strength. As a result of the tests, white oak cut tangentially and impregnated with Protim WR 230 and bonded with VTKA adhesive can be used as a material in damp condition where the strength is required.     

Bond Strength–Disbonding Behavior and Dimensional Stability of Walnut and Poplar Impregnated with Some Chemicals and Bonded with PVAc,VTKA and Urea Formaldehyde

The aim of this study, is to describe the effects of adhesives (PVAc-Desmodur VTKA and Urea formaldehyde) on wooden materials (walnut and poplar) cut tangentially and radially impregnated with Protim Solignum, CCA and Celcure AC 500 and exposed to: humid–water–heat resistance; heating; and cooling tests. All these tests show a decreased in bonding strength. The conclusion is that poplar wood cut tangentially and impregnated with CCA, bonded with D-VTKA adhesive can be used as a material in damp conditions where good bond strength is required.     

Morphologic accessibility of wood adhesives

Accessibility of wood adhesives was determined using a potassium bromide-embedding technique during resin cure. Cured resin was then extracted with water, followed by x-ray analysis of residual potassium bromide retention in the adhesive matrix. Cured urea–formaldehyde (UF), phenol–formaldehyde resol (PF), and phenol–resorcinol formaldehyde (PRF) accommodated large quantities of potassium bromide. However, only PRF adhesive showed crystallization of trapped potassium bromide, suggesting the presence of large pore sizes in the polymer lattices. Both UF and PRF adhesives, after room-temperature soaking, were equally resistant to water access. At higher temperature, water accessibility of UF increased greatly which may be attributed to thermal softening of the adhesive, while the accessibility of water to the PRF adhesive matrix was mainly a surface phenomenon and was not very temperature dependent. PF was highly accessible to water, even at room temperature, as a result of swelling from the presence of sodium hydroxide (catalyst). Accessibility of PRF adhesive was greatly increased by base (NaOH) solutions but not by acid (H₂SO₄) solutions. The UF resin showed slight increase of accessibility with increase in acidity and basicity of the water solution, but the accessibility increase of this adhesive in base solution was substantially less than that of PRF. The acid hydrolysis influence on accessibility increase of UF adhesive was far less severe than that of temperature.     

Influence of acrylamide copolymerization of urea–formaldehyde resin adhesives to their chemical structure and performance

To lower the formaldehyde emission of wood‐based composite panels bonded with urea–formaldehyde (UF) resin adhesive, this study investigated the influence of acrylamide copolymerization of UF resin adhesives to their chemical structure and performance such as formaldehyde emission, adhesion strength, and mechanical properties of plywood. The acrylamide‐copolymerized UF resin adhesives dramatically reduced the formaldehyde emission of plywood. The ¹³C‐NMR spectra indicated that the acrylamide has been copolymerized by reacting with either methylene glycol remained or methylol group of UF resin, which subsequently contributed in lowering the formaldehyde emission. In addition, an optimum level for the acrylamide for the copolymerization of UF resin adhesives was determined as 1%, when the formaldehyde emission and adhesion strength of plywood were taken into consideration. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Effects of Veneer Treatment with Copper-Based Preservatives on the Decay Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Poplar LVL

To improve the durability of poplar laminated veneer lumber (LVL), the veneers were impregnated with alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) and copper azole (CA) at four retention levels, and the effects of the treatments on the LVL properties were examined. The results demonstrated that the treatments substantially improved the decay resistance of LVLs, with the decreases in mass losses ranging from 42.6% to 87.3%. However, retention levels greater than the specified standard values for Use Category C4.1 might be required for sufficient protection of poplar LVL against decay fungi. The bending and shear properties of all treated LVLs met the requirements for high-grade products specified in the LVL standard GB/T 20241. No significant effects of the treatments were observed on the mechanical properties of LVLs, and the LVLs did not display any visible delamination after boil-dry treatment. These results imply that the treatments significantly improved the decay resistance of poplar LVL products and had no appreciable impact on their mechanical and physical properties.     

The effect of edge banding thickness of white oak bonded with different adhesives on withdrawal strengths of beech dowels in composite materials

Dowel joints are widely used in furniture frame construction as a load-bearing connection structure, as well as a simple locator for parts. Joints constructed with dowels were subjected to withdrawal, bending, shear, and tensile forces. The aim of this study was to determine the withdrawal strengths of 6, 8, 10 mm diameter beech dowels embedded into matching holes drilled into the edges of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and particleboard (PB) with solid wood edge banding of white oak with 5, 10 and 15 mm thickness, bonded with hot-melt, poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and Desmodur-VTKA (D-VTKA), a polyurethane-based one-component adhesive. The effects of edge banding thickness, dowel dimension, type of composite material and type of adhesive used for edge banding on the withdrawal strength were determined. According to the interaction results from the Duncan test the highest withdrawal strength (7.019 N/mm²) was obtained in beech dowels with 6 mm diameter for MDF with solid wood edge banding of white oak with 10 mm thickness bonded with the hot-melt adhesive. Should the dowels be subjected to withdrawal, it is advised that a beech dowel should be used for MDF with solid oak edge banding with 10 mm thickness bonded with a hot-melt adhesive in furniture production and decoration applications.     

The effect of hydrolyzed soy protein isolate on the structure and biodegradability of urea–formaldehyde adhesives

The hydrolyzed soy protein isolate (HSPI) was used to partially substitute urea to synthesis modified urea–formaldehyde (UF) adhesives via copolymerization process, in order to reduce the dependency on petroleum-based chemicals and mitigate possible environmental pollution. The soy protein isolate (SPI), HSPI, and modified UF adhesives were characterized by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The bonding strength, adhesive properties, biodegradability, and micrographs of the UF and HSPI-modified UF after degradation were also measured. The results show that the SPI native structure is unfolded during the treatment with sodium hydroxide. The thermal stability of HSPI is better than SPI. HSPI can incorporate into the structure of cured UF adhesives with three different feeding methods. And the best bonding strength of modified UF adhesives is 1.31?MPa when HSPI is added at the first step. The formaldehyde emission of modified UF adhesives is lower compared with UF. The earlier the HSPI is added, the better the properties for modified UF adhesives can be obtained. The degradation rate of modified UF adhesives improved nearly two times compared to the UF after six months of degradation in biologically active soil. There are microorganisms adhering to the surface of modified UF from the SEM micrographs.     

Tensile shear strength of wood bonded with urea–formaldehyde with different amounts of microfibrillated cellulose

Urea–formaldehyde (UF) adhesive mixtures with a 5% suspension of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) at 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 wt% loading levels based on the solid weight (62.4%) of the UF adhesive were prepared. Beech lamellas with dimensions of 5 mm×20 mm×150 mm were prepared from beech lumbers using a planer saw. The UF adhesive (E0 class) was mixed with the MFC using a magnetic stirrer to achieve a proper distribution of the MFC in the UF adhesive. The tensile shear strength of single lap-joint specimens bonded with UF adhesive containing MFC was determined in accordance with EN 205 (2003). The specimens bonded with UF adhesive containing the MFC showed better tensile shear strengths as compared to the control. As compared to the control specimens, the tensile shear strength of the specimens increased by 5.7% as 3 wt% of the MFC was incorporated into the UF adhesive. However, a further increment in the MFC content up to 5 wt% decreased the tensile shear strength of the specimens (−14.3% of control specimen). The MFCs were well dispersed in the UF resin and were cross-linked to form a network to reinforce the bond line, improving bonding performance.