How Adjusting Fiber Acidity Improved Strength of Dry-Formed Hardboards

Wood fiber from red oak and balsam fir was refined under pressure in preparation for making dry-formed hardboard. The fiber of each species was adjusted to four acidity levels prior to treating with two phenolic resins, an alkaline-curing, that differed in degree of polymerization. An optimum fiber acidity at which most strength properties reached their maximum was found for each of the two resins. By adjusting fiber acidity, red oak boards had strength properties comparable to balsam fir boards as did various blends of the two species. Of the properties investigated, linear and thickness stability were most dependent on species.

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