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The use of different mineral material types and contents in medium density fiberboard (MDF) production was investigated. Three different minerals (sepiolite, dolomite, and perlite) and five different ratios (3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, and 15%) were used according to the oven-dry wood fiber weight. These minerals were homogeneously added as powder between the wood fibers. Some physical, mechanical, limit oxygen index (LOI), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests of the boards were conducted. The mineral fillers negatively affected the physical properties such as water absorption (WA), thickness swelling (ThS), and mechanical properties such as modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and internal bond (IB). However, LOI and TGA test results showed a positive effect on combustion resistance depending on the type and rate of mineral fillers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fire properties of particleboard coated with calcite and a variety of fireretardants (FR) was investigated. Four different chemicals, boric acid (BA), borax (BX), dolomite (DOL), and melamine (MEL), were added at the concentration of 1.0%, 3.0%, and 5.0% by oven-dry weight of calcite. The particleboard panels were tested according to the ASTM-E 69 standard to investigate their fire-retardant properties. The determination of weight loss, temperature, and the release of O2, CO, and NO by the samples was measured and recorded over 30 s intervals during combustion of the materials. The results indicated that the BA coatings exhibited better thermal stability than the other chemicals. Consequently, the lowest weight loss and temperature was found for specimens treated with 5.0% BA. These chemicals were effective relative to the fire properties of coated particleboard surfaces, depending on the type and ratio of the chemicals to the calcite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]