Characterization of MDF produced with bolaina (Guazuma crinita Mart.) wood residues from plantation

Bolaina (Guazuma crinita Mart.) is one of the most widely used plant species in the forest plantations in Ucayali, Peru. The production of bolaina wood has increased, consequently the generation of wood residues has also risen. Fortunately, this waste can be used as raw material to manufacture other products. This study aims to produce test boards that can achieve at least, the minimal requirements of European and American standard for medium-density fiberboards (MDF) produced using two types of pulps, namely refiner mechanical pulp (RMP) and chemi-mechanical pulp (CMP), from bolaina wood residue obtained from a 5 to 8-year-old forest plantation and using two types of resins: urea-formaldehyde (UF) and emulsion polymer isocyanate (EPI). To manufacture RMP and CMP, wood residues were pretreated through water and 5% sodium hydroxide (w/w) soaking respectively for 24 h. The fiber morphological parameters of both pulps were analyzed using the Morfi compact equipment. Additionally, woods and pulps were also chemically characterized. The solid contents of the resins were 65% for UF and 23% for EPI diluted with distilled water. Both resins were applied with a dose of 10% (w/w). Four types of MDF were prepared: RMP-UF, CMP-UF, RMP-EPI, and CMP-EPI. The results confirmed the feasibility of preparing MDF with wood residues (5% bark) of bolaina as the raw material. In terms of the contributions of resins, MDF with EPI exhibited better physical and mechanical properties than that manufactured with the UF. The pulps, RMP and CMP, had similar performance in MDF. The RMP-EPI and CMP-EPI boards exhibited the best properties.