Manufacture of low density panels

Abstract

Low density composite wood panels are manufactured from a feedstock comprising wood wool strands of high average slenderness ratio and high average aspect ratio, and low bulk density. The feedstock wool strands are blended with a resin binder typically in the range of 3 to 5 percent by weight and a hot wax in the range 1 to 2 percent by weight and formed into a mat. The mat is hot pressed with steam injection to effect curing of the resin. The low density panels may include on one or both of their major faces a wood veneer layer. The wood wool strands typically comprise wood of the aspen or jack pine species.

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