Cornstarch-mimosa tannin-urea formaldehyde resins as adhesives in the particleboard production

The objective of this work was to demonstrate the utilisation of cornstarch-mimosa tannin-based resins designed for application as an adhesive in particleboard production. Bond qualities of cornstarch-mimosa tannin-urea formaldehyde (UF) resins and commercial UF resin were assessed by using an automatic bonding evaluation system, prior to production of particleboards panels. In order to evaluate the quality of cornstarch-mimosa tannin-UF resins, particleboards were produced and physical and mechanical properties were investigated. These physical properties included rheological, thermogravimetric analysis and solid phase C-13 NMR analysis of resins. Internal bond, surface soundness, thickness swelling, porosity, modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity mechanical properties of particleboards bonded with cornstarch-mimosa tannin-UF resins were also determined. The results showed that it is possible to add cornstarch and mimosa tannin, respectively, up to 10 and 4% to the UF resin without to alter the physical and mechanical properties of the boards. The performance of these panels is comparable to those of boards made using commercial UF resin. Petrochemical UF resins could be partially substituted in industrial applications by addition of cornstarch and mimosa tannin extracts.