Surface properties of MDF coated with calcite/clay and effects of fire retardants on these properties

The coating of wood and wood panel surfaces basically serves for surface protection and its surface can be improved at various user areas. Different application methods are used for the coating of MDF surface. These are methods such as curtain coating, spraying, rolling, knife, etc. In this study, suitability of pigment coating method instead of the traditional surface coating methods used for coating MDF panels and the effects of fire retardants on surface properties of MDF coated by the best appropriate coating mixture was investigated. Calcite and clay were used as coating pigment and latex, urea formaldehyde, and melamine formaldehyde were used as adhesive. Coating/adhesive mixture obtained was applied to MDF panels with knives. Before the analysis, test samples were put to condition room and they were kept in there for 1 week. According to the results obtained, the best appropriate coating material was found as calcite. 22% concentrated melamine formaldehyde as adhesive and 0.25 mm as coating thickness was determined better than other combinations. Borax, boric acid and zinc borate as fire retardant were added to calcite /melamine formaldehyde with 22% mixture. So, the effects of fire retardant on surface characterization were determined. Surface properties of coated MDF panels tested were found lower than standard requirements except for abrasion resistance.