Replacing formaldehyde by furfural in urea formaldehyde resin: effect on formaldehyde emission and physical–mechanical properties of particleboards

To diminish the formaldehyde emission, replacement of the formaldehyde by furfural in urea formaldehyde (UF) resin was investigated and its effect on formaldehyde emission and physical–mechanical properties of particleboard panels produced from poplar wood was examined. Resin type: Industrial UF, Laboratory UF, UF-Furfural (in 25 and 50 % replacement levels), and two press temperatures including 170 and 180 °C were considered as variables. Results indicated that formaldehyde emission and modulus of rupture (MOR) of panels reduced thereby replacing the formaldehyde by furfural in UF resin. Internal bonding (IB) of panels made using 50 % replacement-modified resin was superior to others. Water absorption of panels decreased after 2- and 24-h immersion of samples with modified resins, as opposed to thickness swelling. The minimum thickness swelling was observed in panels made by Industrial UF resin. It is noteworthy that formaldehyde emission enhanced by increasing the temperature from 170 to 180 °C, and also all physical–mechanical characteristics developed at 180 °C temperature.