Potential of tannin extracts as resorcinol replacements in cold cure thermoset adhesives

Abstract

Blends of phenol resorcinol formaldehyde (PRF) resin with tannin obtained from bark offers the potential to minimise the quantity of resorcinol required in conventional two pot, cold set PRF wood adhesives. In the presence of ammonia, both quebracho and radiata pine bark extracts, resorcinolic and phloroglucinolic type tannins respectively, showed accelerated adhesive cure behaviour with formaldehyde, in a similar manner to PRF adhesive Greenweld technology for modifying glued timber processing rates. Segregation of pine bark components established that only tannin-containing fractions exhibited accelerated adhesive cure behaviour. Results from adhesive testing indicated adhesive blends of quebracho extract and PRF resin failed to attain satisfactory bond strength at full cure. Of the pine bark components, only a pure tannin fraction produced acceptable bond strength when blended with PRF (3:1). The study indicated pine bark extract can be substituted into PRF adhesives and adhesive cure rate accelerated using ammonia. However, extracts containing crude tannin or carbohydrate materials in adhesive blends led to inferior adhesives.