Sesbania aegyptiaca as promising biomass for manufacturing of MDF

Abstract

Sesbania fiber is a fast-growing wood species that has been investigated for medium-density fiberboard (MDF) production. To assess the possibility of applying the local industrial defibration parameters of sugar-cane bagasse (SCB) on defibration of sesbania, the chemical constituents of unfibrated and defibrated sesbania, as well as their thermal stability and scanning electron micrographs, were estimated. Different preparation variables of MDF, such as density, level of urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin (with 0.19% free-formaldehyde [HCHO]), and pressing time were studied, in comparison with that produced by using SCB fibers. The results showed that most of the tested sesbania-based MDFs have mechanical properties that fulfill the minimum requirements of MDF ANSI standard. Additionally, applying 12% UF and pressing for 240 sec provided sesbania-based MDF with optimum reduction in thickness swelling (reached ∼7%). It is important to note that the sesbania-based MDF produced under these conditions is characterized by a lower TS property, than that obtained from SCB, or that reported in standards. The preliminary feasibility study revealed that using sesbania fibers will be an added economical potential for MDF production.

Keywords:

• Medium-density fiberboard
• sesbania fiber
• defibration process
• thermal behavior
• SEM
• MDF properties

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Nag-Hamady Fiberboard Company, Quena, Egypt for providing the raw materials and equipment for the experimental study.