Lignocellulosic Composites Prepared Utilizing Aqueous Alkaline/Urea Solutions with Cold Temperatures

Table 2

Parameters for experiments conducted.

Experiment	Matrix; (%)	Reinforcement; (%)	Matrix stirring; (rpm : min)	Reinforcement stirring; (rpm : min)	Reaction temperature; (°C)	Solvent volume; (ml/panel)
Temperature	25	75 OOW	350 : 15	350 : 10	−5, −7.5, −10, −12.5, or −15	45
Matrix concentration	15, 25, 30, or 35	85, 75, 70, or 65 OOW/AF	350 : 15	350 : 10	−12.5	45
Solvent volume	25	75 OOW/AF	350 : 15	350 : 10	−12.5	45, 60, 75, 90, or 105
Alkaline treatments	25	75 OOW/AF	350 : 15	350 : 10	−12.5	60

All experiments unless noted otherwise were conducted using a 4.6% LiOH·H₂O/15% urea alkaline aqueous formulation. See Table 1 for the alkaline aqueous formulations employed.