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44 TECHNOLOGY SEP/OCT 2024 FDM ASIA | www.fdmasia.com

initially reduces swelling, reaching 34.7 percent at 5 percent. The results confirm that using recycled wood leads to
However, TS increases to 45 percent at 10 percent substantial changes in particle structure and particleboard
and 25 percent alternative raw material and remains at 45 density, impacting strength parameters such as MOE, MOR,
percent for 50 percent alternative raw material. At 100 percent and SWR.

alternative raw material, TS slightly decreases to 38.9 percent. An increase in the proportion of recycled wood particles
This is attributed to the higher presence of varnishes in the increased the particleboards’ overall density and bending
manufactured panels, which are less prone to water absorption strength; however, not all particleboard variants met the MOR
and, consequently, swelling. standard requirements. MOE values increased with the amount
The best results were observed in samples with clear of recycled material.
varnish, as they exhibited the lowest swelling. A similar trend They met the standards, suggesting that recycled wood
was observed when testing particleboard made from recycled can be effectively used in particleboard production if the
particleboard. The recycled boards were pre-cleaned by appropriate surface density is maintained.
boiling, adequately prepared, and used to manufacture new One of the key conclusions is also the influence of the

particleboards. type of coating on the particleboard properties.
The clear varnish coating penetrates the wood better, leading
Formaldehyde and TVOC Emission Tests to improved dimensional stability, reduced water absorption,
Formaldehyde and TVOC emission tests showed no significant and less swelling of the particleboards.
differences in the manufactured panels compared to the In contrast, particles from frames painted with white
reference variant. Formaldehyde emissions can depend paint had higher density and a greater proportion of fine
on several factors, including ambient conditions such as fractions, which could negatively impact some mechanical

temperature and high humidity. parameters.
However, it is worth pointing out that the newly recycled The formaldehyde and total volatile organic compound
window frames were manufactured using relatively new coatings, emission tests showed that the emission levels in particleboards
which may comply with current emission standards, or the made from recycled wood were comparable to those of the
formaldehyde content is negligible. reference material.
A study comparing functionalised paint with regular This is likely because the applied coatings were relatively
formula paint found statistically significant decreases in new and met current emission standards, as well as the long
formaldehyde levels in rooms coated with the functionalised seasoning period of the recycled material, which may have
paint. This emphasises the critical role that paint quality plays led to a reduction in formaldehyde emissions.

in formaldehyde emissions. In addition, the recycled material In summary, the study’s findings suggest that recycled
was seasoned for about a year, so some of the formaldehyde wood from window frames can be successfully used in
may have escaped. particleboard production, provided that the production
processes are adjusted to ensure the appropriate mechanical
Conclusions properties and dimensional stability of the particleboard, thus
The conclusions from the conducted study indicate that using positively contributing to the circular economy policy. However,
recycled wooden window frames, painted with both clear varnish it is necessary to tailor the particleboard density individually

and white paint, as raw materials for particleboard production depending on the type of raw material used. FDM
significantly affects their physical and mechanical properties. ENQUIRY NO. 5201