Properties of medium-density fibreboard (MDF) based on wheat straw and melamine modified urea formaldehyde (UMF) resin

Wheat straw was investigated as a raw material for manufacturing of medium density fibreboard (MDF) in a fully equipped pilot-plant. Commercial urea melamine formaldehyde (UMF) and a mixture of UMF-resin and urea melamine phenol formaldehyde (UMPF) adhesives were used as binders in manufacturing of high performance MDF. The study evaluated the quality of MDF produced of straw (i.e., SMDF). Different qualities of wheat straw and different resin contents (14–17%) were used. Moreover, the SMDF was produced at different thicknesses of 9 and 16 mm and densities of 750–1000 kg/m3. The properties of the resulting SMDF were evaluated by analysing mechanical and water absorption (anti-swelling) properties as a function of density. Internal bond (IB), modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), thickness swelling (TS), and water absorption (WABS) were the properties analysed. SMDF-panels produced with densities above 780 kg/m3 and resin contents above 14% met the requirements for wood-based MDF standard EN 622-5:1997.