Enhancement of dimensional stability and mechanical properties of light MDF by adding melamine resin impregnated paper waste

This study investigated the utilization of resin impregnated decorative and overlay paper wastes obtained from the edge trimming of partially cured, dried papers as a binder in the manufacture of the light medium density fiberboard (MDF). The light MDF panels were prepared from various mixtures of the softwood fiber and hammer-milled impregnated paper waste, 95/5, 90/10, and 80/20 wt%. The results of the experiments showed that the dimensional stability and mechanical properties of the light MDF panels were improved by adding hammer-milled melamine impregnated paper waste. The resin impregnated paper waste could be evaluated as a binder for the manufacturing of the light MDF panels having better dimensional stability and mechanical properties than standard light MDF panels used in interior applications.