Hydrolyse von Harnstoff-Formaldehyd-Harzen

The hydrolytic degradation of urea-formaldehyde resins (UF) has gained new relevance since the development of procedures for reuse of particle- and fibreboards based on steam hydrolysis. In Germany, today 100.000 tons of used particleboards are recycled by thermo-hydrolytical processes annually. This work points out the role of resin hydrolysis in these recycling processes. Therefore, the behaviour of ground particleboards as well as pure, hardened UF resin under hydrolytic conditions was investigated. Influences of temperature and pH value were assessed to estimate their effect on the hydrolysis process.