Effects of wollastonite nanofibers on fluid flow in medium-density fiberboard

Abstract

We studied the effect of wollastonite nanofibers on fluid flow in medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Nanowollastonite (NW) was applied in MDF at 10 %, based on the dry weight of wood fibers. We also tested chicken feathers as an additive to the matrix at 5 and 10 % by weight. The weight of feathers was reduced from the wood fibers to keep the density of the panels constant (0.66 g cm⁻³). Wollastonite nanofibers acted as filler in the matrix and significantly decreased gas and liquid permeability. Higher thermal conductivity of the NW-treated MDF-mats resulted in a better cure of resin, and consequently more integrity in the composite-matrix and lower permeability. The water-repellant property of wollastonite also contributed to the decrease in liquid permeability. Feathers reduced gas and liquid permeability due to the hydrophobic nature of keratin, as well as its formation as a physical barrier towards passing of fluids. Ten percent feather content proved too high and some checks and cracks occurred in the core of the panels after hot-pressing. Panels with 5 %-feather content resulted in both lower fluid flow and adequate physical integrity in the core section of the MDF-matrix.

Keywords

Chicken feather / Composite board / Mineral materials / Thermal conductivity coefficient / Wollastonite nanofibers / Wood fiber

References

[1] Aitken E. Analyses of the effect of silicon on fusarium wilt on banana. 2010, Sydney: Horticulture Australia

[2] Eshaghi S, Faezipour M, Taghiyari HR. Investigation on lateral resistance of joints made with drywall and sheet metal screws in bagasse particleboard and comparison with that of commercial MDF. Maderas-Cienc Tecnol, 2013

[3] Fernandez-Puratich H, Oliver-Villanueva JV. Quantification of biomass and energetic value of young natural regenerated stands of Quercus ilex under Mediterranean conditions. Bosque, 2014, 35(1): 65-74.

[4] Figueroa M, Bustos C, Dechent P, Reyes L, Cloutier A, Giuliano M. Analysis of rheological and thermo-hygro-mechanical behaviour of stress-laminated timber bridge deck in variable environmental conditions. Maderas, 2012, 14: 303-319.

[5] Haghighi Poshtiri A, Taghiyari HR, Karimi AN. Fire-retarding properties of nano-wollastonite in solid wood. Philippine Agricultural Scientist, 2014, 97(1): 52-59.

[6] Huuskonen MS, Jarvisalo J, Koskinen H, Nickels J, Rasanen J, Asp S. Preliminary results from a cohort of workers exposed to wollastonite in a Finnish limestone quarry. Scand J Work Environ Health, 1983, 9(2): 169-175.

[7] Huuskonen MS, Tossavainen A, Koskinen H, Zitting A, Korhonen O, Nickels J, Korhonen K, Vaaranen V. Wollastonite exposure and lung fibrosis. Environ Res, 1983, 30(2): 291-304.

[8] Li D. Nanostructuring materials towards conventionally unachievable combination of desired properties. J Nanomater Mol Nanotechnol, 2012

[9] Maresi G, Oliveira Longa CM, Turchetti T. Brown rot on nuts of Castanea sativa Mill: An emerging disease and its causal agent. iForest, 2013, 6: 294-301.

[10] Maxim LD, McConnell EE. A review of the toxicology and epidemiology of wollastonite. Inhal Toxicol, 2005, 17(9): 451-466.

[11] Palanti S, Feci E, Predieri G, Francesca V. Copper complexes grafted to amino-functionalized silica gel as wood preservatives against fungal decay: mini-blocks and standard test. BioResources, 2012, 7: 5611-5621.

[12] Pati R. Molecule for electronics: a myriad of opportunities comes with daunting challenges. J Nanomater Mol Nanotechnol, 2012

[13] Saber R, Shakoori Z, Sarkar S, Tavoosidana Gh, Kharrazi Sh, Gill P. Spectroscopic and microscopic analyses of rod-shaped gold nanoparticles interacting with single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides. IET Nanobiotechnol, 2013, 7: 42-49.

[14] Sadeghi B, Rastgo S. Study of the shape controlling silver nanoplates by reduction process. Int J Bio-Inorg Hybrid Nanomater, 2012, 1(1): 33-36.

[15] Taghiyari HR. Effects of nanosilver-impregnation and alfalfa-intercropping on fluid transfer in downy black poplar wood. Maderas-Cienc Tecnol, 2014, 16(1): 49-62.

[16] Taghiyari HR, Rangavar H, Farajpour Bibalan O. Nano-silver in Particleboard. BioResources, 2011, 6(4): 4067-4075.

[17] Taghiyari HR, Mobini K, Sarvari Samadi Y, Doosti Z, Karimi F, Asghari M, Jahangiri A, Nouri P. Effects of nano-wollastonite on thermal conductivity coefficient of medium-density fiberboard. J Nanomater Mol Nanotechnol, 2013

[18] Taghiyari HR, Ghorbanali M, Tahir PMD. Effects of the improvement in thermal conductivity coefficient by nano-wollastonite on physical and mechanical properties in medium-density fiberboard (MDF). BioResources, 2014, 9(3): 4138-4149.

[19] Taghiyari HR, Bari E, Schmidt O, Tajick Ghanbary MA, Karimi A, Tahir PMD. Effects of nanowollastonite on biological resistance of particleboard made from wood chips and chicken feather against Antrodia vaillantii. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad, 2014, 90: 93-98.

[20] Taghiyari HR, Bari E, Schmidt O. Effects of nanowollastonite on biological resistance of medium-density fiberboard against Antrodia vaillantii. Eur J Wood Wood Prod, 2014, 72(3): 399-406.

[21] Taghiyari HR, Habibzade S, Miri Tari SM. Effects of wood drying schedules on fluid flow in Paulownia wood. Dry Technol, 2014, 32(1): 89-95.

[22] Valenzuela J, von Leyser E, Pizzi A, Westermeyer C, Gorrini B. Industrial production of pine tannin-bonded particleboard and MDF. Eur J Wood Wood Prod, 2012

[23] Winandy JE, Muehl JH, Glaeser JA, Schmidt W. Chicken feather fiber as an additive in MDF composites. J Nat Fibers, 2007