Performance evaluation of particle boards treated with fire retardant chemical compositions.

Under this study, the particle boards of lops and tops of poplar were prepared using urea formaldehyde resin with 110 °C pressing temperature. One set of particle boards was kept as control particle boards, and remaining boards were treated with five different combinations of fire retardant (FR) chemicals at 10% and 20% conc. by dipping method for 15 min and 30 min duration. The prepared control particle boards as well as FR treated boards were tested in accordance with IS 3087, IS 2380 and IS 5509 for their various properties, viz. modulus of rupture (MoR), modulus of elasticity (MoE), internal bond strength (IBS), time taken under rate of burning test (RBT), flammability test (FT) and flame penetration test (FPT). It was found that particle board treated at both concentration (10%, 20%) and both duration (15 min, 30 min) of dipping with all five compositions passed the mechanical test, viz. MoR, MoE and IBS whereas particle board treated at lower concentration (10%) and both duration (15 min, 30 min) of dipping with all five compositions do not pass the FR properties, viz. time taken under RBT, FT and FPT as per relevant IS specifications. The particle board treated at higher concentration (20%) and both duration (15 min, 30 min) of dipping with all five compositions passed the FR properties, viz. time taken under RBT, FT and FPT as per relevant IS specifications. However, at higher concentration (20%) and higher duration (30 min) of dipping the IBS reduces significantly but still all mechanical properties, viz. MoR, MoE and even IBS meet as per relevant IS specifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]