Wood waferboard could be utilized for siding and other exterior exposure application if it were more dimensionally stable when exposed to cyclic humidity conditions or environments where the product absorbs moisture. Aspen waferboard markets could be expanded if the thickness swelling and linear expansion under wet conditions were equal to or less than plywood. A feasibility study will determine the technical and economic viability of introducing new polymeric bulking agents into the cell walls of the aspen wood flakes prior to drying and gluing into waferboard. Forty five experimental waferboards will be manufactured, using three polymer resin combinations at two add-on concentrations. Waferboards will be tested for dimensional stability by measuring thickness swelling and linear expansion. Board physical properties will also be tested, including modules of rupture and modules of elasticity. The economics of treatment will be evaluated. An evaluation will be made of the adequacy of treatment related to the desired properties.Applications:It is anticipated that the results of this research will provide information that confirms satisfactory dimensional stability for aspen waferboard and other particle panel products. Also, the choice of polymer will be confirmed and the optimum method of treatment will be decided. The potential commercial application of polymer bulking of aspen wood in waferboard will be the licencing of the technology and sales of the polymer solutions to waferboard manufacturing companies and possibly other companies that are manufacturing oriented strandboard made of other species.
