Influences of hot pressing temperature and surface structure on VOC emissions from OSB made of Scots pine

Abstract Oriented strand board (OSB) made of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) releases high amounts of terpenes and aldehydes. These volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions are clearly affected by the manufacturing parameters. As a consequence of high temperatures during hot pressing, terpene emissions from OSB are reduced. Aldehyde emissions are initially lowered after pressing at a high temperature (260°C). Furthermore, emissions are influenced by the surface structure. If the surface consists of fine particles, terpene emissions are lowered and the course of aldehyde formation is altered. Nevertheless, a reduction in VOC emissions by adjustment of the parameters investigated in this work seems to be restricted to terpenes. Aldehyde emissions from all panels converge during emission testing and in the final stages no clear distinction is possible according to the pressing temperature or surface structure.