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Evaluation of Selected Fire Properties of Recycled Particleboards

Summary

This research examines how different types of wood used to make particleboards affect their ability to resist fire. Scientists tested boards made from fresh wood, decayed wood, and recycled wood materials by exposing them to intense heat. They found that boards made from fresh, minimally processed wood catch fire more slowly and burn more slowly than boards made from recycled materials, though recycled boards are more sustainable.

Background

Particleboards are widely used in furniture and construction due to cost-effectiveness and efficient wood resource utilization. The increasing demand for particleboards has led to greater use of recycled materials and degraded wood. Fire resistance is a crucial property for particleboards intended for safety-critical applications.

Objective

This study evaluates the fire properties of various particleboard types manufactured from sound spruce particles, wood degraded by fungal decay (brown and white rot), and recycled materials including blockboard, pallets, thermally modified wood, and laminated/unlaminated particleboards. The research examines ignition time, burning rates, and mass loss to understand how material composition influences flammability.

Results

Particleboards ranged in density from 587-654 kg·m⁻³. Sound spruce wood particleboards exhibited the longest ignition times (103±4.89 s), while recycled and degraded materials ignited faster (69-98 s). Maximum burning rates peaked between 90-180 seconds, with recycled raw particleboards and brown rot-degraded boards showing highest rates (0.214 and 0.213 %·s⁻¹). Mass loss was higher in recycled/degraded particleboards (47.52-51.71%) versus control boards (44.89%).

Conclusion

Particleboards made from minimally processed solid wood demonstrated superior fire resistance with longer ignition times and delayed peak burning rates. Recycled materials and chemical additives (adhesives, laminates) reduced fire resistance by accelerating ignition and burning rates. Results highlight the trade-offs between sustainability through recycling and fire safety, emphasizing the importance of material selection in optimizing fire-technical properties.
  • Published in:Polymers (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Laboratory Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/polym17060805, PMID: 40292667
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