Measurement of molecular weights of melamine-urea-formaldehyde resins and their influences to properties of medium density fiberboards

This study attempted to measure molecular weight (MW) of melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resins prepared by two different synthesis methods: the one-step MUF resins were synthesized in one batch procedure, while the two-step MUF resins were prepared by a physical mixing of urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin with melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resin that had been synthesized in a separate procedure. The properties of medium density fiberboard (MDF) panels bonded with two types of MUF resins were also investigated. MWs of these MUF resins were measured using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). In addition, this study measured the MWs of one-step MUF resin during its synthesis procedure. The performance of two types of MUF resins was evaluated by determining properties of MDF panels prepared in laboratory. As the synthesis procedure progressed, both number average MW (M_n) and weight average MW (M_w) of one-step MUF resin gradually increased, while the polydispersity index (PDI) decreased. And low MW species of the resin predominantly decreased as the synthesis step progressed. The one-step MUF resin showed greater M_n and M_w than those of the two-step ones even though the PDI values of both resins were very similar each other. As expected, the one-step MUF resin resulted in better properties of MDF panels than those of two-step resins. In particular, the one-step MUF resin provided better internal bond (IB) strength and thickness swelling (TS) with MDF panels than those of two-step ones, indicating better water resistance of the one-step resin. These results suggest that the preparation method of MUF resins have a great impact on the MW and final panel properties.