Acrylated Epoxidized Soy Oil as an Alternative to Urea-Formaldehyde in Making Wheat Straw Particleboards

Wheat straw particleboarcls were made using urea-formaldehyde (UF) and acrylated epoxidized soy oil (AESO) resins with two resin content levels: 8% and 13%, and three pressing times: 8, 10 and 12 minutes. Physical and mechanical properties of the boards were investigated. Results showed that AESO bonded particleboards had higher physical and mechanical properties than UF bonded boards, especially in terms of internal bond strength and thickness swelling. All properties of AESO bonded boards increase by increasing both the resin content and pressing time; but for UF bonded boards, there is a reduction in properties at 12 min pressing time due to the UF bonds destruction. AESO bonded boards can compete with wood particleboards according to EN-standards. The good properties of these particleboards are because of high compatibility between wheat straw particles and AESO resin due to its oil based structure. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2010