The Effect of Aluminium Hydroxide (ATH) on the Mechanical Properties and Fire Resistivity of Palm-Based Fibreboard Prepared by Pre-Polymerization Method

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties and fire resistivity of medium density fibreboards (MDF) made from renewable biomass namely empty fruit bunch fibre (EFB) and palm-based pre-PU as the binder. Aluminium hydroxide (ATH) was added in the mixture of EFB at size of 300 to 500 μm. The ratio of EFB to PU matrix was 35:65 with ATH at varying amount of 5, 10, and 15 wt% of the overall mass of the resin. The results showed that MDF-EFB has higher mechanical properties than MDF-EFB/ATH. However, the fire test indicated lower burning rate (from 0.15 mm/s to 0.27 mm/s) as the percentage loading of ATH increased.