Effects of acetylation and press time on heat transfer in particleboard mat from Hornbeam wood (Carpinus betulus)

Effects of acetylation and press time on heat transfer to the core layer of particleboard mat in hot pressing were investigated. Particleboard was made using hornbeam particles. Particles were soaked in acetic anhydride for 24 hours to reach three degrees of acetylation (8, 12 and 17%). The treated particles were heated by oven at 120°C for 40, 180 and 360 minutes, respectively. Acetylated and non-treated (control) particle were blended with 10% melamine urea formaldehyde (based on the oven-dry weight of particles) and and then pressed to make boards. During pressing operation of particle mat, heat transfer to the middle layer of the mat was measured by a Cr- Ni wires thermocouple. Three press times (5, 6 and 7 minutes) were used in the manufacturing process. Results showed that increasing the degrees of acetylation, heat transfer decreased. In control samples and in low-degree modification (8%), in the early period, core temperature reached 100°C. At 12%, after 390 seconds and at the highest degree (17%) even in the longer press time (7min), the core layer temperature did not reach to 100°C