Study of the Effect of Alfa-x to the Urea Formaldehyde Adhesive on Plywood

This study investigated the effect of adding Alfa-x to the of urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesive. The content of free formaldehyde and the bonding specifications were examined. The three-layered plywood of poplar (Populus x eureamericana) and ekaba (Tetraberlinia bifoliolata) was prepared by adding alfa-x to adhesive mixtures in specified amounts. The content of free formaldehyde, withdrawal shear strength, and bending strength were studied in the experimental plywood. The strength specifications of plywood bonded with this resin were slightly reduced by adding the Alfa-x to the adhesive mixture. There was also a moderate decrease in the content of free formaldehyde.