Revalorization of sawdust from melamine-faced chipboard in the manufacture of fired clay
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33414/rtyc.57.17-35.2026Keywords:
clay, Building Materials, Circular Economy, SaudustAbstract
The manufacturing of indoor furniture primarily utilizes medium-density fiberboard (MDF). This industry generates a high annual volume of waste (sawdust and scraps). MDF sawdust contains particles smaller than 500 μm and is composed of 80–85 % lignocellulosic material, 8–10 % urea-formaldehyde resin, and a surface layer of melamine-formaldehyde. Although it is mostly biodegradable, moisture decomposes these resins, releasing formaldehyde, a compound harmful to health. Consequently, this waste is not suitable for composting or waste-to-energy recovery.
This work investigated the use of MDF sawdust as a pore-forming agent in fired clay, a common application for conventional wood sawdust that reduces density and enhances thermal insulation without excessively compromising mechanical properties. The waste material was characterized and incorporated into the clay in proportions ranging from 10 % to 30 % by weight. The results demonstrated that with an addition of up to 10 %, the fired clay maintains its compressive and flexural strength within acceptable limits.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Guadalupe Jauregui, Lucas Peisino, Jerónimo Kreiker
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