IMPROVEMENT OF THE FIRE RESISTANCE AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF GLASS FIBER AND PARTICLE REINFORCED PHENOL AND UREA FORMALDEHYDE

Synthesized phenol formaldehyde and commercial urea formaldehyde were mixed with glass fiber and ceratoniasiliqua seed particles to produce mdf (medium density fiberboard). various reinforcement and matrix ratios were applied and znb2o3.3,5h2o was used as additives due to its fire retardant property. by means of mechanical and burning tests produced composites were investigated. outdoor usage possibility of the composites was checked by swelling thickness and water absorption experiments. results indicate that glass fiber increase composite strength up to 14,438 kpa, whereas particle reinforcement enhances hardness to 142 vh. addition of 5% of znb2o3.3.5h2o increase loi value from 39% to %52 oxygen concentration.