Wax sizing and resin bonding of a lignocellulosic composite

A method of preparing lignocellulosic composites comprising the steps of:

• (a) preparing a mat having a moisture content of from about 4.5% to less than about 8% based on the dry mat weight including the steps of mixing or blending a furnish, an ammoniated hydrogen peroxide compound, wax, and a binding resin;
• and
• (b) hot pressing the mat in a hot press having at least a platen until the mat is cured;
• wherein the core temperature of the mat increases such that within the first 3 minutes of hot pressing the core temperature of the mat is at least 140° C. at a hot press temperature of from about 180° C. to about 23° C.;
• wherein the furnish is selected from the group consisting of wood furnish, straw, bagasse, wood bark, recycled wood fiber, recycled paper fiber, and mixtures thereof;
• wherein the ammoniated hydrogen peroxide is prepared by mixing a hydrogen peroxide solution with ammonia water that contains a metal chelating agent;
• wherein the wax is selected from the group consisting of molten slack wax, vegetable wax, and paraffin wax, including aqueous emulsion versions;
• and
• wherein the binding resin is a phenol-formaldehyde resin.