Preparation and Characterization of Forest Waste Pine Cellulosic Fiber - UF Resin Based Polymer Composites

Pine needles of Pinus roxburghii, a major waste material from conifer forests, were used as the reinforcing material, along with urea-formaldehyde resins, as the matrix for the manufacture of polymer composites. Lignocellulosic fibers from pine needles were separated by the alkaline treatment. Ureaformaldehyde resins of different mole ratios were prepared and characterized with respect to pH, curing time, water tolerance, flow time and solid contents. Polymer composites from pine-cellulosic fibers and urea-formaldehyde resin were prepared as a function of different compositions of the prepared ureaformaldehyde resins. Mechanical properties of the polymer composites, such as modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, both perpendicular and parallel to the surface, and water absorption were investigated in accordance with the methods adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards. It was observed that polymer composites prepared with a larger amount of resin containing a higher urea to formaldehyde ratio show better properties as compared to other composite materials. The properties of these particle boards are also compared with those obtained from pine-cellulosic fibers and phenol-formaldehyde resins.