Resin Systems for Wood Composites Rapidly E-Beam Cured at Lower Temperatures, 2004 Paper Summit, Spring Technical & International Environmental Conference, (including Papermakers; Process Control, Electrical & Information; Product & Product Quality)

Development of rapid, low-temperature electron beam-curable resin systems offers tremendous energy savings potential to the wood composites industry, as well as unique opportunities to develop novel products and processes. A closely related program that focused on development of e-beam cured fiber reinforced epoxy composites for the aerospace industry demonstrated the ability to halve energy consumption, reduce production costs, and cut emissions by an order of magnitude. The major focus of this research is the development, evaluation, and verification of mechanisms which initiate the curing of conventional, low-cost resin systems used in consumer composites in response to beam activation. The systems in which such resins could likely be used are structural panels and engineered wood products. Mechanical properties, such as strength and stiffness, as well as chemical and compositional properties, including resin-to-wood bonds, will be investigated at increasing scale during the project. Particular attention will be paid to evaluation of low-temperature curing conditions and to integration of this technology with that used in existing mills.

If successful, this project is expected to significantly lower production costs, including energy requirements, for the high-volume composites used in buildings and furniture.