Abstract
Every day, tons of fibrous material are landfilled that could otherwise be used for structural panel products. In this study, we looked at combining fibers
from industrial fiberglass insulation trimwastewith commercial hardboard fibers andwith recycled corrugated container fibers to improve the properties of a structural hardboard-like panel.
This study also investigated the effectiveness of two coupling agents at enhancing fiber-to-fiber bonding between fiberglass andwood fibers. Processing characteristics, physical properties, andmechanical properties of thewet-formedmats and finished panelsweremeasured to determine the effects of the following three factors: 1) fiberglass loading level (0%, 7.5%, and 15%); 2) coupling agent; and 3) wood fiber type (steam-exploded hardboard or recycled corrugated). Also, panel strength and linear expansion properties of the experimental boards were compared
with commercial hardboard.As applied, the coupling agents did not improve the fiberglass-to-wood-fiber bond.All panels exceeded minimum strength and dimensional requirements for hardboard; however, mechanical properties decreased as fiberglass loadinglevel increased.
The addition of fiberglass improved dimensional stability for all panels and improved drainage rate for panels made with recycled corrugated containers.Panels made from recycled corrugated container fibers were significantly stronger than those
made from commercial hardboard fibers.Industrial waste fiberglass can be incorporated with either wood fiber (commercial hardboard or recycled corrugated container) and still exceed minimum dimension and strength requirements for hardboard.
www.fpl.fs.fed.us
