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Cellulose nano-whiskers were used to enhance the performance of soybean meal-based adhesive. Soybean meal flour, cellulose nano-whiskers (CNW), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were used to develop different adhesive formulations. The effect of adhesive components on water resistance of the adhesive was measured on the three-ply plywood (three cycle soak test). The viscosity and solid content of the adhesive were measured. The cross section of the cured adhesives was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of the hot press parameters on the water resistance of the plywood bonded by soybean meal/CNW/NaOH/PEG adhesive was investigated. The results showed that using the CNW in the adhesive formulation improved the water resistance of the plywood by 20%. The plywood bonded by the soybean meal/CNW/NaOH/PEG adhesive met the interior plywood requirement (2000 (ANSI/HPVA HP-1)). Fewer holes and cracks, as well as a smooth surface were observed on the cross section of the cured adhesive after the incorporation of CNW. In the hot press process, the water resistance of the plywood bonded by the soybean meal/CNW/NaOH/PEG adhesive increased as the hot press temperature and time increased.

The effects of using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and a modified polyacrylic acid solution (MPA) on a soybean meal adhesive were investigated. Three-ply plywood specimens were fabricated to measure the water resistance of the adhesive (three-cycle soak test). The viscosity and solid content of the adhesive were measured. The cross-section and functional groups of the cured adhesive were evaluated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, respectively. The results showed that using SDS improved the water resistance of the soybean meal adhesive by 30%. After incorporating MPA, the water resistance of the soybean meal/SDS/MPA adhesive was further improved by 60%, the viscosity of the adhesive was reduced by 81%, and the solid content of the adhesive increased by 15%. The plywood bonded by the soybean meal/SDS/MPA adhesive met the interior plywood requirements. SEM results showed no holes and cracks on the cross-section of the cured soybean meal/SDS/ MPA adhesive. FTIR analysis indicated that more peptide linkages were formed in the cured adhesive as MPA was incorporated.