Evaluation of formaldehyde emissions and combustion behaviors of wood-based composites subjected to different surface finishing methods

To use wood-based panels as a final product, they must undergo surface finishing via various processes, such as low pressure laminate (LPL), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), coating paper (CP), direct coating (DC), or veneer overlay/UV coating (VO-UVC). Tests were conducted to look for any reduction of formaldehyde emissions and in combustion behaviors with the use of five different surface finishing methods. To determine formaldehyde emissions, the desiccator method was used according to the Korean Standard KS M 1998. The combustion behaviors of wood-based panels were investigated using a cone calorimeter. The formaldehyde emissions of VO-UVC were lower than those of the other methods. In the burning tests, the heat release rate (HRR) with DC was higher than that with the other methods. The mass loss rate (MLR) when the product with DC was burned was higher than that for the other finishing materials.