Evaluation of Selected Fire Properties of Recycled Particleboards

This study evaluated the fire properties of various particleboard (PB) types, including those made from sound spruce particles, degraded wood (brown and white rot), and recycled materials (blockboard, pallets, thermally modified wood, raw and laminated PBs, or mixtures). Laboratory-manufactured PBs showed densities ranging from 587 to 654 kg·m^-3, with higher densities generally correlating with longer ignition times, although no statistically significant relationship was observed. Ignition times varied depending on material composition, with PBs made from sound spruce particles exhibiting the longest ignition times (103 ± 4.89 s). In contrast, PBs containing recycled or degraded particles ignited faster, influenced by additives such as adhesives and laminates. The burning rate peaked between 90 and 180 s, with PBs containing recycled raw PB particles and those degraded by brown rot showing the highest maximum burning rates (0.214 and 0.213 %·s^-1, respectively). Recycled laminated PBs reached peak burning rates in the shortest time, while control PBs required the longest time. Mass loss was higher in PBs with recycled or degraded particles, ranging from 47.52% to 51.71%, compared to 44.89% for control PBs. These findings highlight the trade-offs between fire resistance and the use of recycled materials, emphasizing the impact of additives on combustion behavior.