Low viscosity melamine urea formaldehyde resin as a bulking agent in reducing formaldehyde emission of treated wood

Melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF) resin impregnation followed by heat compression is a prominent method in improving mechanical properties and dimensional stability of wood. In addition, melamine is reactive to formaldehyde, and therefore able to reduce the free formaldehyde of the treated wood. This study aimed to produce compressed sesenduk (Endospermum diadenum) wood with low formaldehyde emission using low viscosity MUF resin. The effects of treatment efficiency on the physical and mechanical properties of the wood products were evaluated. The experimental design included impregnation of sesenduk strips with 20% and 30% MUF at five different formulations. Then, it was pre-cured at a temperature of 70 °C for 90 min, followed by hot compression at 140 °C with the compression ratio of 80%. The optimum treatment combination was determined through treatability, mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and formaldehyde emission. It was also compared to other treatments, including impregnation without further compression using formulated MUF and commercial MUF. The results revealed that F4 MUF, which consisted of 30% melamine, 50% formaldehyde, and 20% urea, was the optimal MUF formulation that resulted in low formaldehyde emission and acceptable physical and mechanical properties.