Surface Characteristics and Hardness of Medium Density Fiberboard Containing Pine Cone

Surface characteristics, wettability and surface roughness, and surface hardness of medium density fiberboards containing cone flour of stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) at various ratios (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50%) based on the oven-dry weight of wood fiber were evaluated. Contact angle measurements were obtained by using a goniometer connected with a digital camera and computer system. Roughness measurements were taken from the sanded specimens along and across the sandmarks using a fine stylus tracing technique. The results revealed that the surface quality of the panels and surface hardness reduced with the increasing cone flour content. The samples made from 100% wood fiber had the lowest contact angle value with 88.8 degrees and average roughness (R(a)) with 5.2 mu m while the highest contact angle and surface roughness were found for the samples containing 50% cone flour having value of 114.4 degrees and 9.6 mu m, respectively. Although panel type A made from 100% wood fibers had the best roughness and wettability, panel type B containing 50% cone flour had similar values to panel type A. This study revealed that value-added MDF panels containing 10% the cone flour can be used to manufacture laminated flooring and overlaid panels for the furniture industry.