Veneer-based structural wood composites such as plywood and laminated veneer lumber are commonly bonded with phenol-formaldehyde (PF) adhesives that are formulated with organic fillers. The fillers are typically derived from biomass waste streams, such as walnut shell or tree bark. The purpose of this study is to investigate filler particle size effects and filler surface chemistry effects on the performance of PF adhesives. Adhesive performance is measured by mode-I fracture testing, and adhesive flow curves are obtained using concentric-cyclinder rheometry. Filler surface properties are studied by wicking measurements using the Lucas-Washburn equation. The objective is to advance our fundamental understanding of how PF/filler interactions impact adhesion in lignocellulosic composite materials.

Biomass waste streams investigated as fillers in thermosetting adhesives

245th National Meeting (2013)

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