Utilization of Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Pruning Residues as Raw Material for MDF Manufacturing

Fiber of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) pruning residues are a potential source for the production Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). Dry process was employed to produce MDF in pilot plant scale using three categories of manufacturing parameters, i.e., two resin types, two resin content levels and three pressing times. Due to the availability of the materials in the pilot plant, Date palm and also soft wood fibers (Pinus silvestries L.) as reference were used for the MDF production under the same parameters. Three boards were manufactured with combination of variables, and samples of all boards were tested according to the methods of European (EU) standard. As main technological properties modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), internal bond strength (IB), and formaldehyde emission were determined. Also, samples of each board were tested for thickness swelling and water absorption after soaking in water for 2 h and 24 h respectively. In addition all the mechanical and physical properties of boards were derived from analysis procedures. The results of this study showed that boards made of Date Palm pruning residues fibers featured better properties than the MDF property requirements which was recommended by ASTM and EN standards particularly inspect of mechanical properties. In addition, the formaldehyde (HCHO) emission of the panels featured that almost all the boards met the minimum requirement according to EN 120 especially for the panel bonded with MUF resin. Therefore, Date palm could be proposed as an alternative material for the manufacture of MDF.