Substitution of urea-formaldehyde by renewable phenolic compound for environmentally appropriate production of particleboards.

In recent years, research has been conducted in search of alternative adhesives that are less harmful to human health and the environment. Cardanol derived from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) has attracted considerable attention due to its chemical and specific characteristics (antioxidant activity, flame resistance, and hydrophobicity). In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of particleboards using cardanol instead of urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesive. Different percentages of cardanol were used (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80%) in which its physicochemical properties were evaluated. The panels were produced with particles of Pinus oocarpa and nominal density of 0.75 g/cm3, their physical and mechanical properties were evaluated, wood-adhesive interface evaluation with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the combustibility test. It is concluded that the maximum replacement of UF by cardanol is 5%, since, in this situation, the mentioned properties reach the established norms for the commercialization of the boards.