EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT FLAVONOID EXTRACTS IN OPTIMIZING TANNIN-GLUED BARK INSULATION BOARDS

Abstract

Efforts in decreasing energy consumption in buildings have created a market environment that favors insulation materials made from renewable resources.Tree bark is a naturally highly optimized material that can serve insulation needs.Thus, bark insulation panels have been produced from larch bark and bonded with a formaldehyde-free tannin-hexamine resin.Quebracho and mimosa tannins, containing different levels of hexamine, were mixed with bark particles at different ratios, and cured in a hot press for various press times.Mechanical and water-related board property evaluation showed mimosa tannins to be advantageous in terms of panel performance.This was supported by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)