Development and characterization of a bio-based lignosulfonate flame-retardant system for medium-density fiberboard: a comparative study with traditional formulations


Kamrani S., Mehdinia M., Movahed S. G., Shahavi M. H., Roodposhti A. H. R., Farajollah Pour M., ...Daha Fazla

Wood Material Science and Engineering, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/17480272.2026.2715714
  • Dergi Adı: Wood Material Science and Engineering
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Applied Science & Technology Source, CAB Abstracts, Compendex, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Engineering Source (EBSCO), Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: char formation, formaldehyde emission, phosphate additives, thermal stability, thickness swelling, Wood-based panels
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Hayır

Özet

Developing sustainable, high-performance fire retardants for wood-based composites remains a critical challenge. This study investigated the synergistic influence of bio-based lignosulfonate combined with melamine, diammonium phosphate, and sodium hexametaphosphate on the fire-retardant and physico-mechanical properties of medium-density fiberboard. While untreated panels exhibited rapid ignition (69 s) and significant weight loss (6.8%), the incorporation of a 10 wt% lignosulfonate/10 wt% sodium hexametaphosphate system reduced weight loss by 46.6% and improved char integrity. Melamine-based formulations demonstrated superior intumescent behavior, effectively delaying ignition for more than 120 s. Structural analysis by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed enhanced crosslinking density in phosphate-modified systems, while differential scanning calorimetry thermograms revealed a unique two-step curing mechanism for sodium hexametaphosphate-modified resins. Although the addition of fire-retardant additives resulted in a slight decline in mechanical strength (up to 9.5%), all panels satisfied the minimum performance requirements specified in EN 622–5 for medium-density fiberboard. Notably, the lignosulfonate-melamine system significantly enhanced dimensional stability (23% improvement in thickness swelling) and reduced formaldehyde emissions to E1 levels. These findings demonstrate that lignosulfonate-based hybrid systems offer a viable, eco-friendly pathway for producing fire-resistant medium-density fiberboard that meets stringent industrial standards.