An investigation of effect of UF and MUF resins on practical properties of particleboard produced from rice straw and aspen particles

In this investigation the effect of using of UF and MUF Resins on Physical and mechanical Properties of Particleboards Produced from Rice Straw and Aspen Particles has been studied. The aim of this study was to determine of physical and mechanical properties of rice straw– particleboard. Single-layer particleboard was produced. That was produced with 11% MUF and 11% UF. For using of UF and MUF 2% hardener was added to adhesives. The Press condition for MUF was: 1750C for 4 minutes and also for UF application was 1750C for 6 minutes. Another variable factor was the rice straw content in three levels (15%, 30% and 45%). Other factors such as board density (0/7gr/cm3), mat moisture (12%) were constant factors. The results indicate that increasing rice straw to wood particles cause some reduction in modulus of rupture , and internal bonding , and some increase in thickness swelling , and water absorption of manufactured boards. But comparing and grouping means by Duncan test showed that in the most case these effects were insignificant when rice straw add to wood particle up to 30%. Particleboard bonded with 11% MUF had the highest bending strength. Particleboards bonded with MUF had better bending strength, shear strength, thickness swelling and water absorption after 2, 24 hours immersion. Grouping the experimental data while using Duncan method was indicated of the fact that an optimum condition for manufacturing particleboard while using a mixture of rice straw and wood particles is to add 30% rice straw to the mixture , use 11% melamine urea formaldehyde resin and employ a pressing time of 4 minutes.