THE IMPACT OF SODIUM AND MAGNESIUM LIGNOSULFONATES ON AMINO RESIN ADHESIVES FOR WOOD-BASED PANELS PRODUCTION
Keywords:
Urea-formaldehyde resin; melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin; sodium and magnesium lignosulfonates; viscosity; curing kinetics; formaldehyde reduction; wood-based panel.Abstract
In the study, the effects of sodium lignosulfonate (NaLS) and magnesium lignosulfonate (MgLS) on urea-formaldehyde (UF) and melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) adhesives were evaluated. Lignosulfonates were incorporated at 2.5%, 5.0%, and 7.5% (based on resin solids), and their influence on solids content, viscosity, gel time, pH, and free formaldehyde content was analysed. Both NaLS and MgLS reduced solids content and viscosity. Gel time in UF adhesives increased moderately from 53.7 s to 57–60 s (+6–12%), indicating slight curing retardation, whereas MUF systems showed a small decrease to ~81 s (−6.6%) with MgLS and minimal change with NaLS. Lignosulfonates also affected pH and formaldehyde content. Sodium lignosulfonate primarily enhanced adhesive flow and reduced viscosity due to weaker ionic interactions, whereas magnesium lignosulfonate influenced curing kinetics and pH through stronger electrostatic and coordination interactions. Free formaldehyde content decreased by approximately 10% in UF systems. In MUF adhesives, MgLS led to a slight reduction, whereas NaLS increased free formaldehyde by up to 30.8–32.1%. These results highlight a clear counterion-dependent behavior and demonstrate the potential of lignosulfonates as multifunctional, bio-based modifiers for wood adhesive systems.
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