Effect of Addition of Boric Acid and Borax on Fire-Retardant and Mechanical Properties of Urea Formaldehyde Saw Dust Composites

Abstract

Properties of the flame retardant urea formaldehyde (UF) board made from saw dust fibers were investigated. Flame retardant chemicals that were evaluated include boric acid (BA) and borax (BX) which were incorporated with saw dust fibers to manufacture experimental panels. Three concentration levels, (0.5, 1, and 5%) of fire retardants and 10% urea formaldehyde resin based on oven dry fiber weight were used to manufacture experimental panels. Physical and mechanical properties including water absorption, modulus of rupture (MOR), and modulus of elasticity (MOE) were determined. The results showed that water absorption and bending strength decreased as the flame retardant increased. The highest concentration of (BA + BX) enhanced the fire retardant more than the lower ones. Scanning electron microscope and FTIR of composite panels were studied.

Properties of Particleboard Made from Oil Palm Trunks Added Magnesium Oxide as Fire Retardant

“…4 There are many types of flame retardant chemicals such as halogen-based, halogen-free and metal oxide-hydroxide minerals.…”

“…3 Malaysia is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of palm oil, with 5.64 million hectares of oil palm plantation recorded in 2015. 4,5 Besides producing a large amount of palm oil, it also produces a large amount of agricultural wastes such as oil palm fronds (OPF), empty fruit bunches (EFB), oil palm trunk (OPT), palm pressed fibres (PPF), palm oil mill effluent (POME) and palm shells. 6 If these wastes are not disposed well, the consequence will negatively impact the environment.…”

Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)/boric acid composite hydrogel as soft contact lens material: Thermal, optical, rheological, and enhanced antibacterial properties

“…The studies on reducing the EWC value of BA are available in the literature. Nagieb et al . investigated the properties of saw dust composites containing BA and borax.…”

Relative improvements in flame resistance of coir fiberboards treated with fire-retardant solution

“…Two of these minerals, borax (BX) and boric acid (BA), are particularly well suited for use as flameretardant materials due to their complementary flameretardant characteristics. Their low toxicity to humans and the environment makes them qualified for use as flame retardants in residential settings [10]. BA, BX, and their combinations have been widely used in the fire protection industry due to their thermal resistance because they reduce surface flame propagation [6]; they have low melting points and form a glassy film layer on the surface when exposed to extreme heat [10].…”

“…Their low toxicity to humans and the environment makes them qualified for use as flame retardants in residential settings [10]. BA, BX, and their combinations have been widely used in the fire protection industry due to their thermal resistance because they reduce surface flame propagation [6]; they have low melting points and form a glassy film layer on the surface when exposed to extreme heat [10]. The presence of BX tends to eliminate flame spread but promotes glowing, while BA enhances carbonization and suppresses glowing; consequently, they exhibit a synergic effect when used in combination [11].…”