Zur Formaldehydabgabe von Spanplatten

World-wide more than 90 % of all particle boards are bonded with urea formaldehyde resins. Under the influence of high relative humidity and temperature boards bonded with urea formaldehyde resins release formaldehyde. The concentration of formaldehyde in living rooms may reach values which are intolerable to humans. In the Federal Republic of Germany a concentration of 0,1 ppm formaldehyde is considered to be the maximum tolerable limit. In this work simple methods were set up for characterisation of particle boards for the quality control inside and outside the factory. The WKI-Method, a simple gas analysis method developed by FESYP has been modified and elaborated. With this method coated particle boards can be tested regarding their formaldehyde releasing properties. Reduction of formaldehyde release can be achived by using formaldehyde scavengers in particle boards bonded with resins other than those of the aminoplast type. Moreover, spraying particle boards with urea solutions after pressing leads to a decrease of the formaldehyde potential of particleboards. Coating decreases also formaldehyde emission. All in all, decreasing the formaldehyde emission to a very low value is technically feasible