Fire and bending properties of blockboard with fire retardant treated veneers

Abstract

This study evaluated fire and bending properties of blockboards with various fire retardant treated veneers. Blockboards were manufactured using untreated fir strips and sandwiched between treated ekaba veneers at final assembly. The veneers were treated with either boric acid (BA), disodium octoborate tetrahydrate (DOT), alumina trihydrate (ATH), or a BA/DOT mixture. Modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity tests were performed according to European Standard EN 310. Blockboards were also tested for fire resistance as indicated by a cone calorimeter. Treatments had little negative effect on flexural strength; flexural stiffness was significantly lower for the highest treatment levels. Treatments resulted in a significant reduction in predicted flame spread rate.