Influence of Fabrication Parameters on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Medium Density Particleboards

ABSTRACT This research aims to evaluate the influence of three production factors (nominal density, temperature and pressure) on the production of medium density particleboard of Eucalyptus saligna wood with urea formaldehyde resin and catalysts and to verify if the panels meet the normative requirement of ABNT NBR 14810. The influence of factors on MDP panels were analyzed through 12 experimental treatments. A total of 48 sheets were manufactured, with 4 sheets with dimensions 300 mm x 300 mm x 15 mm, determining 7 physical and mechanical properties, totaling 336 experimental determinations. The following properties were evaluated: moisture content, apparent density, thickness swelling after 2h and 24h, perpendicular tensile, elastic modulus and resistance modulus. The treatments largely met normative requirements, with three treatments fully meeting. For most properties the factors of production were not statistically significant, allowing some factor to be reduced in order to maintain the same performance meeting the normative requirements.