UTILIZATION OF PINUS RESINATED Oversize FIBERS IN PRODUCTION OF PARTICLEBOARDS

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility of producing particleboard from oversize resin fibers in a reduced proportion of adhesive. It was used as raw material, oversize resin fibers discarded from the MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) production process, flake particles of Pinus spp. derived from an MDP (Medium Density Particleboard) company’s chipper and adhesive formed by the urea-formaldehyde resin and paraffin emulsion. The experiment consisted of five treatments, mixing particles and fibers in different proportions (100: 0%; 75: 25%; 50: 50%; 25: 75%; 0: 100%). Three panels were produced per treatment, with nominal density of 650 kg.m-3, 8% resin and pressing cycle of 160ºC, 40 kgf.cm-2 for 8 minutes. The properties of the panels were evaluated by the procedures described in ASTM D-1047 (1993), DIN 53362 (1982) and ABNT / NBR 14810 (2013). The results showed that oversize resin fibers have potential for use in the sector, especially in quantities above 75%, a fact that was evidenced by the values found for dimensional stability and strength/stiffness. For internal adhesion, the increase in the number of fibers above 25% was not significant.