METHOD FOR MAKING DIMENSIONALLY STABLE COMPOSITE PRODUCTS FROM LIGNOCELLULOSIC MATERIAL

摘要

This invention relates to a process for making dimensionally stable reconstituted composite products from lignocellulosic material. By treating lignocellulose with high pressure steam to decompose and hydrolyse the hemicellulose and lignin fractions of the lignocellulose and using those decomposition products as both a bonding and bulking agent "in situ", it converts, under heat and pressure in a moulding operation, the treated lignocellulose into composite products such as panel boards and moulded articles. The composite products possess go od physical and mechanical properties. The adhesive bond developed from thermosetting of the decomposition products of hemicellulose and lignin is strong, stable, resistant to boiling water and acid hydrolysis and is free of formaldehyde emissions. Thus, the reconstituted panel boards and moulded products are appropriate for both exterior and interior applications . The manufacturing cost for the reconstituted products is significantly lower in comparison to the conventional process because expensive synthetic resin is not used.