Wood Composite Technology

Particleboard
Particleboard is a wood-based panel manufactured under pressure and heat from
particles of wood (flakes, chips, shavings, sawdust and similar) and/or other
lignocellulosic material in particle form (flax shives, hemp shives, bagasse fragments
and similar) with the addition of an adhesive.

HOW IS IT MADE?
Wood chips comprise the bulk of particleboard and are prepared in a mechanical
chipper generally from coniferous softwoods, principally spruce, although pine and fir
and hardwoods, such as birch, are sometimes used. Particleboards may also
incorporate a large proportion from recycled sources. These chips are generally bound
together with synthetic resin systems. The chips are formed into a mat and are then
pressed between heated platens to compress and cure the panel. The finished panels
are then sanded and cut to size.

WHAT IS IT USED FOR?

Large quantities of particleboard are used in the manufacture of kitchen units and
worktops, as well as in dining-room and bedroom units; these generally have a
veneered or laminated finish. In construction applications its good mechanical
performance, which is the same along and across the panel, renders it appropriate for
use as floor decking, and in doors. Packaging is another common application for
particleboard, or chipboard as it is often known.
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PROPERTIES
Moisture resistance, high mechanical performance, fire retardance and acoustic
insulation are all properties which can be achieved by using specific types of
particleboard.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

© 2018 European Panel Federation. Al

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There are many kinds of engineered wood products used to make furniture and other wooden items
for interior and external usage. Particleboard is also one of the many engineered wooden products.
It is also known as low-density fiberboard or chipboard. The answer to the question of what is
particle board is that it is a waste wood product made by binding wood chips, sawdust, or sawmill
shavings with a synthetic resin or some other binder. Urea Formaldehyde is commonly used as a
glue for binding wooden chips. Particleboard can be used as a substitute for plywood for making
furniture, the interior lining of walls and ceilings, as a substrate for countertops, floor decking, roof
sheathing, underlayment and interior decorative paneling, etc.

These are the various types of particleboard available in the market.

1. Single-layer particle board

Single-layer particle board consists of wood particles of the same sizes which are pressed
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together. It is a flat and dense board that can be veneered or plastic laminated but not painted.
This is a water-resistant type of particle board but is not waterproof. Single-layer particle boards
are suitable for interior applications.

Suggested Read: What are Advantages and Disadvantages of MDF Board

2. Three-layer particle board

Three-layer particle board consists of a layer of large wood particles sandwiched between two
layers made of very small and highly dense wood particles. The amount of resin in the outer
layer is more than in the inner layer. The smooth surface of a three-layer particle board is ideal
for painting.

3. Graded-Density particle board

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Graded-Density particle board consists of a layer of coarse wood particles which is sandwiched
between two layers made of fine wood particles. This type of particle board is used to make
cabinets and wooden furniture.

4. Melamine particle board

Melamine particle board is made by fixing a decor paper infused with melamine on the surface
of the particleboard under high heat and pressure. The wood particles in a melamine particle
board are bonded using melamine-urea formaldehyde resin and wax emulsion. This makes it
water-resistant. Melamine particle board resists scratches. It comes in a plethora of colours and
textures. Applications of melamine particle board include wall paneling, furniture, wall cladding,
wardrobes, and modular kitchen.
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5. Cement-bonded particle board

Cement-bonded particle board has magnesium-based cement or portland cement as the

bonding agent. Cement content is 60% while wooden particles such as wooden shavings,
sawdust, and wood chips make up 20% of the composition. The remaining 20% is water. Due
to the presence of cement, this type of particleboard is resistant to moisture, fire, termites, and
rot. High moisture resistance makes them suitable for constructing false ceilings, walls, and
permanent coverings for concrete floors and walls for buildings located in areas with high
humidity. They are also used for making fire-resistant furniture products

6. Veneered particle board

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A veneered particleboard means that it has a thin slice of wood called veneer attached to its
surface. The veneered particleboard appears like a natural wooden board. Furthermore, a
veneered particleboard is also more resistant to warping as compared to a conventional
particleboard.

7. Laminated particle board

When a thin laminate sheet is attached to the surface of a plain particleboard, it becomes
laminated particleboard. A laminate sheet not only improves the aesthetics of the particleboard
but also increases its durability.

Particleboard Uses
 Particleboards are used as coverings for hardwood floors. Particleboards protect the hardwood
boards against scratches. In addition, particle boards are also used to make floors in temporary
structures. Particle boards are also used as underlayment or base for wood flooring, parquet
flooring, or carpets.

 Particleboards are commonly used to make the core of solid core doors and flush doors.
Particleboard is a good core material for doors because it has a smooth and flat surface that
binds with the door skin easily and exhibits a good screw-holding capacity for fixing hinges.

 Particle boards are used for making false ceilings. This is because particle boards provide good
thermal insulation. They are also used as ceiling tiles in many types of buildings.
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 Particle boards are used for making all kinds of furniture such as dressing units, tabletops,
kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, bookshelves, shoe racks, beds, etc.

 Speakers are made of particle boards because they absorb sound. This is also the reason why
particle boards are used on walls and floors of recording studios, auditoriums and media
rooms.

Which is better MDF, plywood or

particle board?
When we consider buying new furniture, there are several things we need to
keep in mind. The space we have and the decor we are working with , the
functionality we need, and the quality.

The quality of the supplies and material that make up the furniture we
purchase is going to differ depending on our needs. We might not buy the
same quality of furniture to furnish a dorm room as we would our home
office.

Furniture is usually made of one of three main materials: MDF, plywood,

and particle board. Let’s take a look at how these stack up against each
other.

Which is stronger MDF,

plywood, or particle board?
It might surprise some people to learn that yes, plywood is stronger than
particleboard and can better resist shearing or bending. And there are
several reasons why some furniture makers decide to use plywood over
particle board .

Particle board is a waste-wood product, in that it uses the byproduct from

wood working. Essentially, particle board is made from taking sawdust and
compressing it with resin adhesives to make sheets of workable material.
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When it comes to deciding between plywood vs. particle board, again it

comes down to quality. Particle board is easy to work with and inexpensive, it
is great on lower end projects, and it can be fancied up with some veneer
and a thin laminate. It is best used flat because bending it and shaping it will
likely crack or snap it. Plywood is more resistant to shearing, bending or
weight load forces.

MDF vs particle board

MDF, or Medium Density Fiberboard, is stronger and denser than particle
board. It is also a waste-wood material, and it’s comprised of wood fibers
rather than sawdust. While more elegant and heavier, it depends on the
project to determine whether or not you need the quality that comes with
MDF.

MDF is also easier to paint with a nicer outcome, however it is more likely to
deteriorate if it’s exposed to water and moist conditions.

Is MDF furniture toxic?

While MDF had its heyday, people began to be suspicious after bringing
furniture made of this material into their homes and noticing toxic smells
stemming from their new furniture. MDF-made furniture can off-
gas and release toxic fumes, creating high levels of toxicity in small enclosed
spaces and potentially causing health hazards.

The same is true when working with MDF. When you work with the product
and cut into it, the dust you release also contains this formaldehyde — the
same stuff used for embalming. So that’s not great. If you are working with
MDF, it is very important to have proper ventilation in the shop and to wear a
mask.

While there are safety standards about how much toxic chemicals MDF can
contain, it’s still something to consider when furniture shopping.

There are many different materials that offer a range in options for furniture.
For better or worse, low quality, inexpensive furniture has flooded our world,
and while it is accessible, it is also basically disposable. There is a reason
why old quality furniture made from plywood is still around today.

We think that furniture should be an investment, and made from natural saw
cut wood and plywood rather than MDF or Particle Board. That is why all
our Cabinet Beds are made from Birch plywood. By spending more now, you
save in the long run! If you are considering buying new furniture, do some
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research and explore your options so that you end up with exactly what is
right for you.
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