Thermoplastic polyolefins as formaldehyde free binders in highly filled lignocellulosic panel boards: using glycerine as a processing aid in kenaf fiber polypropylene boards

A new technique was developed to make highly loaded (up to 95%) formaldehyde free natural fiber boards. The purpose of the paper is to report a broad study on 85% kenaf boards using linear thermoplastic polymers as the binder in preparing the boards to determine if these materials have potential in commercial applications by comparing them to other commercial materials. In these materials, linear thermoplastic polymer chains act as an adhesive and the product resembles a typical wood based panel (e.g., phenol formaldehyde fiber board). The process involved the use of small amount of glycerine ...