The technological properties of medium density fiberboards (MDF) produced with mineral based fire retardants

In this study, fire retardant properties and other some technological properties of medium density fiberboards (MDF) produced with some mineral based chemicals which have fire retardant properties were investigated. For this purpose, various concentrations (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10% ve 12%) of chemicals included huntite/hydromagnesite, and zinc borate were added to urea formaldehyde resin. Fiberboards were produced by spraying this mixture onto beech wood fibers. Moisture, density, water absorption and thickness swelling, color change, surface roughness, bending strength, tensile strength, limited oxygen index (LOI), thermogravimetric analyze (TGA), thermal conductivity and biological resistance experiments of the MDF boards were performed. According to the results of limited oxygen index (LOI) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) performed to determine the fire properties, it was found that the fire resistance properties of the medium density fiberboard (MDF) produced with mineral chemicals improved, and these values increased with increasing chemical concentrations. Furthermore, it was determined that the chemicals and chemicals concentrations have effects on the water absorption, thickness swelling, color changes, surface roughness, bending strength, tensile strength, thermal conductivity and biological resistance of the MDF panels. These effects represented variability depending on chemicals type and chemical concentrations. Key Words: Fire retardant minerals, MDF, LOI, TGA, Fire resistance, Technological properties