Qualidade de painéis aglomerados produzidos com adesivo a base de ureia-formaldeído associado com cardanol

Abstract

Particleboard panels have emerged as an alternative for better use of wood and for the environment preservation. Urea-formaldehyde (UF) is the most produced and consumed adhesive among the class of these wood-panels, due to its high reactivity, fast curing, and low price. However, this adhesive is considered the main source for the emission of formaldehyde, a highly carcinogenic compound that can be emitted during the use of the panel. However, in recent years, research has been carried out in search of alternative adhesives that are less harmful to human health and the environment. The cardanol is derived from the cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) and has attracted emphasis due to its chemical characteristics, as the double bond position, and the antioxidant activity, flame resistance, and hydrophobicity related to the phenolic ring, consisting of a non-toxic compound for human and environment safety. In this perspective, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of the UF replacement with cardanol in particleboard wood-panels. The panels were loaded with particles of Pinus oocarpa, with 25 x 25 x 1.5 cm (length, width, and thickness) and nominal density of 0.75 g/cm3. Different percentages of cardanol were used to UF replacement, totaling five treatments: 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80% cardanol. The adhesives physical and chemical properties, and the physical and mechanical properties, the wood-adhesive interface and the combustibility of the wood-panels With the results, it was observed that it is possible to produce agglomerated panels replacing 5% of cardanol by UF. In addition, cardanol acted as a flame retardant for agglomerated panels.