Fa
  • Ph.D. (2013)

    Natural Resources, Wood Sciences and Technology

    Wood Physics and Mechanics, Hamburg University, Hamburg, Germany

  • M.Sc. (2006)

    Natural Resources, Wood Science and Technology

    Wood and Paper Science and Technology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

  • Bio-based composite materials: process technology, evaluation, and optimization
  • Development of natural binders and their application in wood and engineered wood products
  • Development of hybrid and lightweight sandwich panels
  • Cascading use of resources to develop value-added (wood) products
  • Wood-based panels workshop

    Research field: Wood-based panels; production and evaluation

    Expert: Seyed Behzad Hosseini

    Phone: 01144998109

    Address:

Dr. Ali Shalbafan received his Bachelors and Masters degree of Wood Science in Iran (2004 and 2006). After two years working as a teacher at technical vocational school, he started his Ph.D program at the Wood Science Department of Hamburg University (2009) and finished on 2013. Then, he acted as a RD researcher for Swiss Krono Group. He started his position as an assistant professor in the Department of Wood Science and Technology at Tarbiat Modares University, Iran (2014). He also got a new position as an associate professor since February 2020. His research area are engineered wood-products, natural and bio-based wood adhesives, hybrid and lightweight sandwich panels, and etc.

Contact

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Development of ultra-light foam-core fibreboard for furniture application

S Khojasteh-Khosro, A Shalbafan, H Thoemen
Journal Paper , , {Pages }

Abstract

Geopolymer-Bonded Laminated Veneer Lumber as Environmentally Friendly and Formaldehyde-Free Product: Effect of Various Additives on Geopolymer Binder Features

Ali Shalbafan, Heiko Thoemen
Journal PaperApplied Sciences , Volume 10 , Issue 2, 2020 January , {Pages 593 }

Abstract

Environmentally friendly and formaldehyde-free laminated veneer lumber (LVL) was manufactured using geopolymer constituents as binder. The main aim of the study was to improve the bonding quality between the geopolymer binder and the wood constituents. To this end, the effect of various additives (phenol flakes, conventional silica fume, and grafted silica fume with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)) in the geopolymer binder features were explored via gel time and viscosity measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transom infrared spectroscopy. The mechanical properties (shear, bending, and compression) of LVL panels were also determined. Results showed that adding both types of silica fume had a positive impact

Preferences of furniture manufacturers for using lightweight wood-based panels as eco-friendly products

Saeed Khojasteh-Khosro, Ali Shalbafan, Heiko Thoemen
Journal PaperEuropean Journal of Wood and Wood Products , 2020 March 12, {Pages 11-Jan }

Abstract

Lightweight panels, as an eco-friendly element for furniture manufacturing, offer several potential market and production opportunities for many secondary woodworking companies. In this study, the perceptions of Iranian furniture manufacturers were evaluated by means of ANP-based multi-type questionnaires, regarding the conditions and requisite features of lightweight panels in furniture manufacturing. The ANP results revealed that product design, quality and price were effective sub-criteria for furniture manufacturers. The most important attributes for choosing panels during the manufacturing process were: lack of panel warping, product abundance in the market, and withdrawal resistance of connectors. Manufacturers indicated

A Multifunctional Mineral Binder for Plywood Production: The Effect of Manufacturing Parameters on Bonding Quality

Ali Shalbafan, Amin Nadali, Heiko Thoemen
Journal PaperMaterials , Volume 13 , Issue 10, 2020 January , {Pages 2360 }

Abstract

Geopolymers show great potential for use as binders in developing and manufacturing multifunctional wood products. The objective of this study was to improve the bonding quality of a geopolymer binder, with wood veneers, using different manufacturing parameters. To this end, we produced five layered plywood panels treated with various lay-up times (1, 5, 10, 15 min), panel compressibility values during hot pressing (5%, 10%, 15%, and 30% compression), veneer roughness values (low, medium, and high roughness), press temperatures (120, 140, and 160 C), and veneer layouts via changing the middle layer position of plywood relative to the surface layers. The results show that the shear strength and thickness swelling were negatively influenced b

Evaluation of adhesion strength of coatings and face layers properties of foam core lightweight panels

Saeed Khojasteh-Khosro, Ali Shalbafan, Heiko Thoemen
Journal PaperJournal of Color Science and Technology , Volume 14 , Issue 1, 2020 July , {Pages 11-Jan }

Abstract

Lightweight tubular fiberboard: Effect of hole diameters and number on panel properties

Javad Khakzad, Ali Shalbafan, Saeed Kazemi-Najafi
Journal PaperMaderas. Ciencia y tecnolog?a , Volume 22 , Issue 3, 2020 January , {Pages 311-324 }

Abstract

Special tubular fiberboard with a density of 550 kg/m 3 was manufactured using the round rods for creation of the holes. Physicomechanical properties of tubular fiberboard (6, 8, 10, 12 (mm)) with various hole diameters and number of hole (0, 1, 2 and 3 in a constant cross section) were evaluated. The surface layers density, especially on top of the holes, considerably elevated with increasing the hole diameter. This did create higher bending properties as well as higher internal bond and surface soundness. The structure of webs between the holes, when the holes’ number increases, were predominant factor influencing the panel properties. Weak and loose web structure were obtained by increasing the holes’ number from 1 to 3 within a cons

Formaldehyde adsorption capacity of chitosan derivatives as bio-adsorbents for wood-based panels

Ali Shalbafan, Hedi Hassannejad, Mehdi Rahmaninia
Journal PaperInternational Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives , Volume 102 , Issue 102669, 2020 October , {Pages 08-Jan }

Abstract

Chitosan and its derivatives (grafted chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles) were used as bio-based adsorbents in urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins, and accordingly, their effects on the curing behavior, resin structure, crystalline structure, and formaldehyde emission (FE) of final resin has been investigated. Synthesis of grafted chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. Characteristics of UF resins were monitored by 13C-NMR and X-ray diffraction. This analysis showed that the free formaldehyde and crystallinity of UF resin having chitosan-based adsorbents were substantially reduced. The FE was largely decreased in the medium density fiberboard (MDF) containing chitosan nanoparticles (60%), followed by grafted chit

Effect of the polystyrene granules type and content on the physical and mechanical properties of the lightweight wood-based panels

Saber Jafarnezhad, Ali Shalbafan, Jan Luedtke
Journal PaperJournal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology , Volume 27 , Issue 1, 2020 June , {Pages 111-125 }

Abstract

Geopolymer as a multifunctional mineral binder to produce laminated veneer lumber: effect of various aluminosilicate powder types on panels and geopolymer binder features

Farzaneh Allahverdipoorazar, Ali Shalbafan, Dirk Berthold
Journal PaperEuropean Journal of Wood and Wood Products , 2020 November 24, {Pages 14-Jan }

Abstract

Geopolymer was used as a multifunctional mineral binder to produce laminated veneer lumber (LVL). The main aim of the study was to characterize the various geopolymer binder formulations based on natural kaolin, metakaolin and silica fume. The effect of different combinations of aluminosilicate powder in geopolymer binder was characterized via FTIR, XRD and TGA analysis. The mechanical (shear, bending, and compression) and physical (thickness swelling and water absorption) properties of the LVL specimens were also evaluated. Results showed that characteristic bands attributed to the geopolymer binder were more pronounced with further replacement of kaolin with metakaolin and silica fume. The higher the metakaolin content, the greater the am

Consumer behavior assessment regarding lightweight furniture as an environmentally-friendly product

Saeed Khojasteh-Khosro, Ali Shalbafan, Heiko Thoemen
Journal PaperWood Material Science & Engineering , 2020 November 14, {Pages 10-Jan }

Abstract

This study was aimed to evaluate the position of lightweight panels and their application in furniture production in Iran by investigating consumers’ behavior and preferences. Here, consumers’ preferences toward effective criteria to choose furniture made of wood-based panels (WBPs) were evaluated on the basis of analytical network process method. Furthermore, respondents were asked about their attitudes and preferences regarding lightweight furniture. The results revealed that the main sub-criteria for buying furniture were product quality, design, price, environmentally-friendly, and guarantee features. Furthermore, the technological feature was the most important criterion affecting consumers buying decisions more than t

The Effect of Chipping Method on the Geometry of Particles Produced from Date Palm Frond

Neda Eghtedarnejad, Saeed Kazemi-Najafi, Ali Shalbafan
Journal PaperBioResources , Volume 16 , Issue 1, 2020 November 2, {Pages 1131-1143 }

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the effect of chipping method on geometry of particles obtained from date palm frond as a lignocellulose residue. For this purpose, date palm fronds were chipped with four different equipment: chipper-flaker, chipper-hammer mill, flaker-hammer mill, and chipper-flaker-hammer mill. The geometry of the particle including particle size, particle size distribution, shape, and aspect ratio were investigated. The results showed that maximum weight percentage (more than 40%) was related to the particles sizes of+ 30/-40 mesh for all chipping methods and more than 50% of all generated particles had a needle shape. In the chipper-hammer mill method, both the weight percentage of useable particles in particleboar

Improving bio-based poly (lactic acid) properties using polycarbonate

A Shalbafan, H Thömen
Journal Paper , , {Pages }

Abstract

Effect of blowing agent concentration on rigid polyurethane foam and the properties of foam-core particleboard

Ali Shalbafan, Kamran Choupani Chaydarreh, Johannes Welling
Journal PaperWood Material Science & Engineering , 2019 June 12, {Pages 09-Jan }

Abstract

In this research, a sandwich panel with particleboard as surface layers and rigid polyurethane (PU) foam as core layers (foam-core particleboard) was produced with a one-step in situ foaming process. The effects of hydrofluorocarbon concentration as the blowing agent (BA) on the foam features and physical and mechanical properties of the produced panels were investigated. Typical micrograph of the rigid PU foam showed well-defined closed cells of spherical and polyhedral shapes. It was shown that the number of fractured cells in the foam structure was increased with the addition of BA in the amount of more than 4.5%. The results showed that the bending strength and internal bond values significantly raised with increasing BA concentration

Development of plywood using geopolymer as binder: effect of silica fume on the plywood and binder characteristics

Masoud Bahrami, Ali Shalbafan, Johannes Welling
Journal PaperEuropean Journal of Wood and Wood Products , 2019 January , {Pages 14-Jan }

Abstract

Geopolymers show good potential to be used as free formaldehyde-based binder to produce wood-based panels. Hence, the objective of this research was to investigate the geopolymer composition as binder on the physical and mechanical properties of multi-layered plywood. The geopolymer binder was prepared based on kaolin and metakaolin as the major aluminosilicate powder that were substituted with different contents of silica fume. The results showed that the substitution of aluminosilicate with silica fume (up to 20% based on weight) in the geopolymer mixture modified the chemistry of the geopolymerisation, and hence, improved the amorphous structures of the geopolymer binder. In summary, the substitution of aluminosilicate with

Evaluation of low density hybrid panels using expandable granules: effect of granules diameter and content

Ali Shalbafan, Saber Jafarnezhad, Jan Luedtke
Journal PaperEuropean journal of wood and wood products , Volume 76 , Issue 5, 2018 September 1, {Pages 1505-1514 }

Abstract

Low density hybrid panels (16?mm thickness) were produced using wood fiber as face layers and a mixture of coarse wood particles and expandable polystyrene (EPS) as core layer. The EPS was foamed (in-situ foaming) in the core layer during the pressing stage. The effects of granules diameter (0.4, 0.8, 1.15, 1.5, and 2.2?mm) and granules content (5, 10, and 15%) on the physical and mechanical properties were evaluated. The results showed that both variables had significantly influenced the panels’ properties. Mechanical properties mostly depended on the level of mechanical inter-locking of EPS with wood particles, while the physical properties were mostly influenced by the EPS distribution. Stronger mechanical inter-locking

Effect of surface layers compressibility and face-to-core-layer ratio on the properties of lightweight hybrid panels

Saber Jafarnezhad, Ali Shalbafan, Jan Luedtke
Journal PaperInternational Wood Products Journal , Volume 9 , Issue 4, 2018 October 2, {Pages 164-170 }

Abstract

The hybridisation of wood-based panels has gained interest in recent years. Lightweight hybrid panels consisting of wood fibres as faces and a mixture of wood particles with expandable polystyrene (EPS) granules as core layer were manufactured in this study. The effects of initial compression and different face-to-core-layer weight ratios were investigated. Results showed that both variables significantly influence panel properties. The initial compression enhanced the surface layer quality while negatively affecting the core layer. Adding EPS influenced the core layer quality, which improved the panel properties. The weight ratio of the face-to-core-layer also enhanced the bending properties and thickness swelling. The internal bond was we

Reduction of formaldehyde emission from medium density fiberboard by chitosan as scavenger

Hedi Hassannejad, Ali Shalbafan, Mehdi Rahmaninia
Journal PaperThe Journal of Adhesion , 2018 September 12, {Pages 17-Jan }

Abstract

Chitosan was used as environmentally friendly and bio-based scavenger for reducing the formaldehyde emission from medium density fiberboard. Using of chitosan powder showed better capacity of formaldehyde adsorption rather than the chitosan solution. Liquid 13C-NMR showed that the free formaldehyde in urea formaldehyde adhesive having chitosan powder was drastically reduced. Additionally, the observed peak at 155?ppm showed that that the chitosan powder was copolymerized with urea formaldehyde adhesive. Increasing the amount of chitosan powder was significantly reduced the emitted formaldehyde. It was shown that the formaldehyde adsorption of chitosan was strongly influenced by the pH value of adhesive composition. The pH value and the adhe

Chitosan-based formaldehyde scavenger and applications thereof in wood-based products

Journal Paper , 2018 July 19, {Pages }

Abstract

An adhesive composition is disclosed, and includes an aldehyde-based resin selected from the group consisting of urea-formaldehyde resins, melamine-formaldehyde resins, melamine-urea-formaldehyde resins, phenol-containing resins, and mixtures, combinations, and sub-combinations thereof, and a formaldehyde scavenger selected from the group consisting of chitosan, nano-chitosan, functionalized chitosan, and mixtures, combinations, and sub-combinations thereof.

Cone calorimeter testing of foam core sandwich panels treated with intumescent paper underneath the veneer (FRV)

Mark A Dietenberger, Ali Shalbafan, Johannes Welling
Journal PaperFire and Materials , Volume 42 , Issue 3, 2018 April , {Pages 296-305 }

Abstract

Surfaces of novel foam core sandwich panels were adhered with intumescent fire‐retardant paper underneath the veneers (FRV) to improve their flammability properties. The panels were evaluated by means of cone calorimeter test (ASTM E 1354). Variables tested were different surface layer treatments, adhesives used for veneering, surface layer thicknesses, and processing conditions, having the objective of obtaining similar or better flammability as that of solid particle boards. Previous research showed that sandwich panels without FRV compared to panels with FRV generally had much higher heat release rates, somewhat higher heat of combustion and much higher smoke production due to the polymeric foam component of tested panels. The present

Universit?re Ausbildung f?r Holzwissenschaft in Europa und weltweit Teil 26: Iran

Marius C. Barbu, Ali Shalbafan
Journal PaperHolztechnologie , Volume 59 , Issue 6, 2018 January , {Pages 53-58 }

Abstract

Current Teaching

  • Ph.D.

    Process Analysis and Control

Teaching History

  • Ph.D.

    Market Analysis and Assessment of Lignocellulosic Raw Materials and Products

  • 2018
    Noori, Habib
    Development of wood adhesive from polystyrene foam waste in the manufacture of plywood
  • - Ali Shalbafan and Hidi Hassannezhad, Mehdi Rahmaninia (2020). Chitosan-based formaldehyde scavengers and application thereof in wood-based products. USPTO: United States Patent and Trademark Office, (US10563100B2), Granted).
  • - Ali Shalbafan and Johannes Welling (2017). Wood-based panels, method for manufacturing them and their use. EP2875924 B1, EPO: European Patent Office (Granted).
  • - Awarding the best poster presentation at the Joensuu Forestry Networking Week 2012 Finland (20-25th May, 2012).
  • - Awarding the research grant memorial of Dr. Kazemi-Ashtiani from the Iranian National Talents Foundation (2016-2017).
  • Elected and honored by the Tarbiat Modares University as " Jung Selected Excellent Professor", 2020
  • Member of the supervisory, evaluation, and optimization committee the Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Iran (2014 - 2018).

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