Optimization of processing variables in wood–rubber composite panel manufacturing technology

The feasibility of manufacturing wood–rubber functional composite panels with a polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (PMDI) and urea-formaldehyde (UF) combination binder system was investigated. Mechanisms of interacted independent variables (board density, pressing time and pressing temperature) for effect on board properties were opened out. The board performance was evaluated by measuring internal bond (IB) strength, modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE). The test results were statistically analyzed by using response surface method (RSM) of Design-Expert software to determine the significant independent variables that influenced board properties. A mathematical simulation or response surface models were developed to predict the board properties (MOR, MOE and IB). The results showed that board density and some interactions between the experimental variables were significant factors that influenced board mechanical properties. The suggested optimal board manufacturing conditions were about 170 °C, for pressing temperature, 300 s for pressing time, and 1000 g cm−3 for board density.