Heat transfer and physical-mechanical properties analysis of particleboard produced with ZnO nanoparticles addition

The use of particleboards (PB) has increased quickly as an alternative engineered wood product mainly due to its having a better ratio of resistance to weight and more elimination of wood defects, such as the presence of knots. Although the panel industry has been constantly growing, innovations are still necessary to improve the final product. The use of metallic oxide nanoparticles on the wood-based panels has the potential to increase the heat transfer process and improve the physico-mechanical properties. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of the addition of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in PB, correlating the physical and mechanical properties of the panel with the heat transfer process at 180 °C. The results were compared with the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 14810-2 (2013) and the European standard EN 312 (2010), as well with works found in literature. The results showed a homogenous heat distribution during the pressing, which improved physical properties, decreasing the 24h swelling from 22.2% to 14.9% and the 24 h absorption from 30.29% to 21.0%. Besides that, MOR values was increased from 11.3 MPa to 14.5 MPa and the MOE from 1880 MPa to 2510 MPa.