Abstract:
The effects of temperature and pH on UF (urea-formaldehyde) resin formed during the reaction between formaldehyde and urea were studied. The temperature was controlled at 75, 80, 85, and 90oC while pH was varied at 5.0, 5.4, 6.2, and 6.6 respectively. It was found that by increasing the temperature and pH of the reaction, more resin was formed via condensation (less formaldehyde left) but the molecular weight of resulted resin was comparatively low. Upon applying the resin in the production of particle board, the strength properties of particle board such as internal bonding, bending, and screw holding, were increased while thickness swelling and water absorption became lower. It was anticipated that small resin molecules could penetrate into wood texture better and, hence, a more complete formation of network structure was achieved. Less formaldehyde emission was also resulted. Nevertheless, longer (gel) time was required to complete such formation because the acid catalyst for condensation became lower. Both temperature and pH variations did not affect either specific gravity, viscosity, or solid content. It was noted however that, by controlling pH higher than 6.2, none of resin product could be obtained due to non-condensation.