This paper investigates the influence of iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles on the physical properties of medium density fiberboard (MDF). In this study, three different nano iron oxide loadings, i.e., 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 wt %, and untreated poplar fibers were used. The iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles were initially dispersed into urea formaldehyde resin using a high-vacuum mechanical stirrer before being incorporated into natural fibers. The untreated poplar fibers were wound onto metal frames to produce dry mat layers. Twenty different composite samples were made. All composite samples were tested for physical properties, i.e., thickness swelling, water absorption, moisture content and density in accordance with standards EN-317, ASTM D570, EN-322 and EN-323 respectively. Based on the results, it was found that the incorporation of homogeneously dispersed iron oxide nanoparticles significantly improved thickness swelling (Ts). Moreover, water absorption (WA) improved by up to 49.18 and 34.54%, respectively, at the highest loading of 2.5 wt %. Microstructure was investigated and characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and we examined whether iron oxide nanoparticles exhibit good interactions with urea formaldehyde and poplar wood fibers. Heat and mass transfer investigation in the form of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was carried out due to the impact of Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The curing temperature and thermal stability of the resin were enhanced due to the addition of Fe2O3 nanoparticles. A one-way ANOVA statistical analysis was established to effectively control the use of Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Therefore, the presence of iron oxide nanoparticles in an epoxy polymer contributes to a stiffer matrix that, effectively, enhances the capability of improving the physical properties of nano MDF.

This research aims to explore the effects of nanoparticles such as alumina (Al2O3) on the physical and mechanical properties of medium density fiberboards (MDF). The nanoparticles are added in urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin with different concentration levels e.g., 1.5%, 3%, and 4.5% by weight. A combination of forest fibers such as Populus Deltuidess (Poplar) and Euamericana (Ghaz) are used as a composite reinforcement due to their exceptional abrasion confrontation as well as their affordability and economic value with Al2O3-UF as a matrix or nanofillers for making the desired nanocomposite specimens. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and thermal analytical analysis (TAA) in the form of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are carried out and it has been found that increasing the percentage of alumina nanoparticles leads to an increase in the total heat content. The mechanical properties such as internal bonding (IB), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR), and physical properties such as density, water absorption (WA), and thickness swelling (TS) of the specimens have been investigated. The experimental results showed that properties of the new Nano-MDF are higher when compared to the normal samples. The results also showed that increasing the concentration of alumina nanoparticles in the urea-formaldehyde resin effects the mechanical properties of panels considerably.

In this research work effect of embedment of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the physical and mechanical properties of medium density fiberboard (MDF) have been investigated. The MWCNTs were embedded in urea formaldehyde resin (UF) at 0, 1.5%, 3% and 5% concentrations by weight for the manufacturing of nano-MDF. The addition of these nanoparticles enhanced thermal conductivity by 24.2% reduced curing time by 20% and controlled formaldehyde emission by 59.4%. The internal bonding (I.B), modulus elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), thickness swelling (Ts) and water absorption (WA) properties were improved significantly by 21.15%, 30.2%, 28.3%, 44.8% and 29% respectively as compared to controlled MDF.

Graphene is an advanced material in the carbon group and offers greater mechanical, electrical, structural, and optical properties. Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized and their special effects on enhancing the physio-mechanical characteristics of medium density fiberboard (MDF) were assessed. GO and rGO nanoparticles were added to urea formaldehyde (UF) resin at different weight percentages (1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 wt%) during the dosing process. To manufacture the MDF, nanofillers were created by sonication and combination with natural wood fibers. To observe the behavior of nanoparticles in the nanofillers, microstructure characterizations were conducted. The manufactured nano MDF samples underwent physical and mechanical testing. The incorporation of GO and rGO nanoparticles into UF resin led to significant improvements in the physical and mechanical properties of the MDF. The addition of GO and rGO nanoparticles at different weight percentages (1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 wt%) resulted in a range of improvements in thickness swelling (up to 53.3% and 35.2% for GO and rGO nanoparticles, respectively), water absorption (up to 23.3% and 63.15%, respectively), and thermal conductivity (up to 42.16% and 27.7%, respectively). Additionally, the internal bond and rupture modulus of the MDF was enhanced by 59.0% and 70.0%, respectively, for GO and 41.4% and 48.5% for rGO. The highest value of the modulus of rupture (MoR) was observed at a concentration of 3.0% of rGO nanoparticles (44.7 MPa). The findings also showed that thickness swelling (Ts) and water absorption (WA) exhibited directly proportional relationships for 3.0% GO and rGO. These results suggested that incorporating GO and rGO nanoparticles into UF resin can significantly improve the physical and mechanical properties of nano MDF.

The main purpose of this research work is to characterize zinc oxide-urea formaldehyde nano resin and identify the physical performance of medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Considering the dry weight of natural fibers, the ZnO nanoparticles were added to urea formaldehyde (UF) glue at four levels—0.0%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0%—and their effects were investigated in terms of the physical properties of MDF. The surface morphology and crystalline structure of ZnO, UF and UF-ZnO nanofillers were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and significant improvements were achieved as a result of the addition of nanoparticles. Thermal properties were analyzed by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravemetric analysis (TGA) and it was observed that increasing the concentration of ZnO nanoparticles ultimately enhanced the curing of UF-ZnO nanofillers. Finally, density, thickness swelling and water absorption properties were investigated and it was observed that thickness swelling and water absorption properties were improved by 38% and 12%, respectively, when compared to control MDF.