Investigation the Quality of Recycled Medium Density Fiber boards (MDF) via Two Different Method i.e. Hydrothermal and Ohmic heating

In this study, fibers recycled via two different methods; hydrothermal and ohmic heating were used to manufacture medium density fiberboard (MDF). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of recycling method on practical properties (bending strength, modulus of elasticity, internal bonding and screw holding in edge and surface and thickness swelling after 24 hours water immersion) of the boards. Also, a morphological analysis was done to evaluate the influence of recycling process on fiber dimensions. Also the existence of UF residues were observed by SEM.
The results related to classification and dimension analyze of fibers confirmed the negative influence of recycling process on quality of fibers. Also degree of deterioration in hydrothermal recycling was higher than that of ohmic recycling due to sever condition of heating.
Furthermore, the results showed that recycling of MDF wastes via ohmic heating method resulted in better physical and mechanical propertied as compared to the hydrothermal method. Overall results showed that MDF panels made from recycled fibers via ohmic heating method exceed the minimum values required by EN standards (EN 622-5, 2006) for all properties except thickness swelling. About ohmic heating method, increasing the time of ohmic heating led to improving the practical properties of recycled MDF boards. It was observed by SEM that much more residues of cured UF resin adhesive were existed on the surface of recycled fibers via hydrothermal method. According to the results it can be said that ohmic heating method is a useful process for recycling the wastes of MDF.