Diatomaceous earth as an inorganic additive to reduce formaldehyde emissions from particleboards. Issue 2 (15th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Funk, Monika; Wimmer, Rupert; Adamopoulos, Stergios
• Is Part Of: Wood material science & engineering. Volume 12:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 92
• Page End: 97
• Publication Date: 2017-03-15
• Subjects: Particleboard -- formaldehyde -- scavenger -- diatomaceous earth -- flask method; Wood -- Periodicals; Wood products -- Periodicals; Building, Wooden -- Periodicals; 624.184
• DOI: 10.1080/17480272.2015.1040066
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-0272

Abstract

Abstract: The presented research is about the use of a new type of a functional inorganic additive in particleboards, for the purpose of reducing free formaldehyde releases. One-layered particleboards were prepared in the laboratory by mixing industrial wood particles and urea-formaldehyde resin. Natural, abundantly and cheaply available nano-mesoporous diatomaceous earth (DE) was used, without and in combination with urea as a scavenger. Silica quartz sand was also added as a nonporous analogy. Particleboards were pressed at two press factors (9 and 15 s/mm). Formaldehyde release was determined using the rapid 3-hour-flask method (DIN EN 717-3). As a result, DE additions insignificantly reduced bending properties of particleboards. Internal bonding was in part significantly lowered. The particleboard produced with 3% urea loaded on 5% DE prior to application almost halved (–45%) the formaldehyde release. Formaldehyde release was on the average 17% lower when pressed at 15 s/mm instead of 9 s/mm. By loading urea onto the nano-mesoporous structure of DE, an improved scavenging function of urea could be shown.