Processing and characterization of urea/melamine formaldehyde bound hazelnut shell flour composites

In this study, hazelnut shell flour bound with urea formaldehyde (UF) and melamine formaldehyde (MF) adhesive resins was hot molded at high pressures to manufacture composite boards. Adhesive's MF / (UF+MF) weight ratio was varied. Density measurements, MC measurements, 24-hour water soak tests, and static bend tests were performed on the prepared composite samples. This preliminary work showed that hazelnut shell flour can be utilized with a proper binder for production of composite materials with good physical and mechanical properties.