Strength and processing properties of wet-formed hardboards from recycled corrugated containers and commercial hardboard fibers

Abstract

Recycled paper fiber recovered from our municipal solid waste stream could potentially be used in structural hardboard products. This study compares strength properties and processing variables of wet-formed high-density hardboard panels made from recycled old corrugated container (OCC) fibers and virgin hardboard fibers using continuous pressure during drying. The results show that panels made from OCC fibers had 3 times the strength and 2 times the stiffness of panels made from virgin hardboard fibers. For commercial hardboard, panels made from OCC fibers had 2.5 and 2 times the strength of standard and tempered hardboards, respectively, and for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Hardboard Association (AHA) standards, panels made from OCC had 5 and 3 times the strength of standard and tempered hardboards, respectively. Linear expansions for OCC fiber panels were similar to commercial standards, but expansions of panels made from hardboard fibers were about half those of commercial panels and panels made to ANSI/AHA standards. Mats formed with OCC fibers were slower draining, higher in initial consistency, and thinner than mats formed with hardboard fibers. The results indicate that fibers from OCC have strong potential for use in structural hardboard products.

Citation

Hunt, J. F.; Vick, C. B. 1999. Strength and processing properties of wet-formed hardboards from recycled corrugated containers and commercial hardboard fibers. Forest products journal. Vol. 49, no. 5 (May 1999).:p. 69-74.