Manufacture of fiberboard from wood fibers activated with Fenton's reagent H2O2/FeSO4)

Fiberboard was manufactured without synthetic resins from spruce and beech fibers activated by treatment with Fenton's reagent (H2O2/FeSO4) and the formation of radicals in the fibers by the action of Fenton's reagent was studied. The treatment resulted in a strong improvement of board strength and a large increase in fiber free radical content. The improved adhesion is probably largely due to interfiber bonds formed by reactions of radicals or other reactive groups generated in the fibers by Fenton's reagent. The reactivity of spruce fibers in terms of radical formation increased as defibration temperature increased. The thickness swell of the boards depended more on the amount of sizing agent or other additive than on the defibration temperature or fiber reactivity toward Fenton's reagent.