Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
08:40
Standard Test Method ASTM D 7998-19 for the Cohesive Strength Development of Wood Adhesives
Published on: May 17, 2020
Expanded Graphite-Modified Melamine-Formaldehyde Adhesive for Fire-Retardant Japanese Cedar Plywood:
Fang-Yu Hsu1, Shan-Ni Yu1, Wen-Shao Chang2
1Department of Forestry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
Polymers
|July 28, 2026
Summary
This study incorporated expanded graphite (EG) into Japanese cedar plywood to improve fire retardancy. Adding 30 phr of 200-fold expanded graphite offered the best balance of fire resistance and mechanical properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Wood Composites
- Fire Retardancy
Background:
- Wood-based composite panels are sustainable but limited by flammability.
- Developing effective, halogen-free fire retardants is crucial for expanding their applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of expanded graphite (EG) as a fire retardant in Japanese cedar plywood.
- To evaluate the impact of EG type (200-fold vs. 450-fold) and content on plywood properties and combustion behavior.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of 200-fold and 450-fold expanded graphite (EG) into melamine-formaldehyde adhesive at varying concentrations (10-40 phr).
- Assessment of physicomechanical properties, combustion behavior (cone calorimetry), char morphology, and pyrolysis gas evolution (furnace-FTIR).
Main Results:
- EG incorporation reduced heat release rate and total heat release by forming a carbonaceous barrier.
- 30 phr of 200-fold EG demonstrated optimal fire retardancy with acceptable mechanical properties.
- Higher EG content or expansion ratio negatively impacted mechanical strength and altered pyrolysis gas composition.
Conclusions:
- Expanded graphite shows promise for enhancing the fire retardancy of wood-based composites.
- Optimizing EG content and expansion ratio is key to balancing fire performance and mechanical integrity.
- Further research is needed to meet stringent fire-retardant standards for wood composites.
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