Influence of pulping methods (thermomechanical, chemothermomechanical) and pulping conditions on physical and technical properties of medium-density fibreboards

Subject Thermo-mechanical pulps (TMP) and chemo-thermo-mechanical pulps (CTMP) were made from spruce under different pulping conditions. The fibres were dried at 70 degrees C. Medium density fibreboards (MDF) were made in pilot plant scale from the pulps using urea-formaldehyde resin as a binder. The results of testing the physical properties reveal, that the pulping temperature has a significant influence on the thickness swelling and water absorption of the boards. MDF from fibres produced at high pulping temperature (180 degrees C) generally show lower thickness swelling and water absorption than MDF made from fibres produced at lower pulping temperature (140 degrees C and 160 degrees C).