Resin Systems for Wood Composites Rapidly E-Beam Cured at Lower Temperatures

摘要

Development of rapid, low-temperature electron beam-curable resin systems offers tremendous energy savingsrnpotential to the wood composites industry, as well as unique opportunities to develop novel products and processes.rnA closely related program that focused on development of e-beam cured fiber reinforced epoxy composites for thernaerospace industry demonstrated the ability to halve energy consumption, reduce production costs, and cutrnemissions by an order of magnitude. The major focus of this research is the development, evaluation, andrnverification of mechanisms which initiate the curing of conventional, low-cost resin systems used in consumerrncomposites in response to beam activation. The systems in which such resins could likely be used are structuralrnpanels and engineered wood products. Mechanical properties, such as strength and stiffness, as well as chemicalrnand compositional properties, including resin-to-wood bonds, will be investigated at increasing scale during thernproject. Particular attention will be paid to evaluation of low-temperature curing conditions and to integration ofrnthis technology with that used in existing mills.rnIf successful, this project is expected to significantly lower production costs, including energy requirements, for thernhigh-volume composites used in buildings and furniture.