Selected properties of MDF boards bonded with various fractions of recycled HDPE particles

Abstract

Selected properties of MDF boards bonded with various fractions of recycled HDPE particles.The substitution of non-renewable, formaldehyde-based amine wood binders in the wood-based composites industry is one of the main directions of trials and research. On the other hand, a bigger effort should be put into carbon capture and storage (CCS) activity, especially in the case of oil-based plastics, to extend their life in the products. The aim of the research was to use waste high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in MDF panels and determine their selected properties, including modulus of elasticity in bending, bending strength, internal bond, thickness swelling, water absorption, screw withdrawal resistance, density profile when referred to the fraction of used HDPE.The panels were created in laboratory conditions with a 50% weight content of HDPE particles of different fractions (<1 mm, <2 mm, <4 mm, and a mixed fraction containing 25% of each fraction and unsorted waste). The results show that the highest strength and modulus of elasticity were obtained for panels with plastic fractions below 1 mm. This fraction also achieved the lowest results for water absorption and thickness swelling. The fraction of the used plastic has no significant effect on screw withdrawal resistance. The negative impact of using larger fractions in the board is noticeable, however, for the mixed fraction, the results are similar to the finest fraction in terms of the internal bond, thickness swelling, and water absorption. The addition of HDPE can have a beneficial effect on the parameters of MDF panels. It is possible to create fibreboards from wasted plastic, store carbon dioxide in them, and upcycle them. In the discussed panels, the only binder for wood fibres was HDPE, so panels should not emit formaldehyde from the binder.