DETERMINATION OF SHARE OF ADHESIVE ON PARTICLES WITH FT-IR SPECTROSCOPY

It is well known, that particle size influences the surface of adhesive applied on the particles during the particleboard production, and it is also well known that "only" 10 % of adhesive (mass based) is used for particleboard production. Since most adhesives that are used in particleboard industry are colourless it is difficult to determine its share on the particle or even the surface of adhesive on particles. The purpose of this research was to determine weather it is possible to determine the share of adhesive on particles with FT-IR spectroscopy. Beech (Fagus silvatica L) particles five different fractions were blended with urea-formaldehyde adhesive. According to the wave number significant for presence of urea-formaldehyde adhesive and the reference the share of adhesive was quantified. As comparison the results obtained by image analysis were used. The results show that the surface covered with adhesive is increasing by decreasing the specific surface area of particles. We also determined that there is a difference in the spectra between unblended and blended particles.