Reactivity of water extractives in oak fibres towards formaldehyde

Abstract

Fibres obtained by the TMP- and CTMP-process from old oak (200-250 years) contain higher amounts of cold water extractives than those obtained from young oak (20-30 years). Moreover, water soluble extractives from old oak fibres are, in general, more reactive towards formaldehyde. This result supports the finding that medium density fibreboards (MDF) made from fibres of old oak emit less formaldehyde than MDF from young oak.