Abstract
We investigated the decay durability of commercial medium density fiberboard (MDF) and the MDF treated with preservatives in glues on laboratory decay tests. Oo the decay tests samples were exposed to Fomitopsis palustris and to Trametes versicolor. The decay durability was evaluated by mass loss from fungal attack.
On the way of glue-mix treatment, three preservatives were tested. The preservatives were two organic iodocompound preservatives and one triazole compound preservative, and they were oil-borne types. The main components of them were 3-iodo-2-propargyl-butylcarbamate (IPBC), 4-chlorophenyl-3-iodopropargyl formal (IF-1000), and a-(4-ch-lorophenyl)-α-(1- cyclopropylethyl)-1H-1, 2, 4-triazole-l-ethanol (cyproconazole), respectively. IPBC was tested by emulsified type, too. The glues were urea-formaldehyde resin adhesive and melamine-urea-formaldehyde co-condensation resin adhesive.
The results obtained were that the type of adhesives and the decay durability of raw material influenced the decay durability of MDF. Treatment with preservatives in glues improved the decay durability of the MDF without any relation to raw materials of fiber and adhesive type. Oil-borne preservatives were as effective as emulsified type preservative. So it is considered that the way of glue-mix treatment is enough effective and practical way to improve the decay durability of MDF.
