Mechanical Properties of MDF as a Function of Density and Moisture Content

Authors

  • Stefan Ganev
  • Guy Gendron
  • Alain Cloutier
  • Robert Beauregard

Keywords:

MDF (medium density fiberboard), moduli of elasticity, shear modulus, Poisson's ratios, moisture content, density

Abstract

This study examined the effect of medium density fiberboard (MDF) density and moisture content on MDF moduli of elasticity E1, E3, shear modulus, G13, and Poisson's ratios v12 and v13. The relation of all parameters with density was determined from MDF panels without density profile with average density levels of 540 kg/m3, 650 kg/m3, and 800 kg/m3. The relation with moisture content was determined from specimens conditioned to 50%, 65%, and 80% relative humidity. Panel E1, E3, and G13 increased with density increase and decreased with moisture conent increase. At each nominal density level, the values of E1 were much higher than the values of G13, which in turn were higher than the values of E3. The effect of density and moisture content on the Poisson's ratios was not significant.

References

ANSI A 208.2. 2003. Medium density fiberboard (MDF) for interior applications. Composite Panel Association, 18922 Premiere Court, Gaithersburg, MD.nAmerican Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D 1037). 1999. Standard test methods for evaluating properties of wood base fiber and particle panel materials. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 04.10.nBoúhme, C. 1980. Untersuchungen über den Zusammenhang zwischen Rohdichte und Querzugfestikeit, Biegefestigkeit sowie Biege-E-Modul bei vershiedenen Holzfaserplattentypen. Holzforshung und Holzverwertung 32 (5): 109-113. In German.nBodig, J., and B.A. Jayne. 1993. Mechanics of wood composites. Krieger Publishing Company. Malabor, FL. 712 pp.nBorchgrevink, G. 1977. Process variables influencing the manufacture of medium density fiberboard. Proc. 11th Washington State University Symposium on Particle-board, Pullman, WA.nBulleit, W.M. 1985. Elastic analysis of surface reinforced particleboard. Forest. Prod. J. 35(5): 61-68.nChapman, K.M. 1979. Improved uniformity in medium density fiberboard. Proc. Eleventh Washington State University Symposium on Particleboard, Pullman, WA.nChow, P. 1976. Properties of medium-density, dry formed fiberboard from seven hardwood residues and bark. Forest. Prod. J. 26(5): 23-32.nCloutier, A., G. Gendron, P. Blanchet, S. Ganev, and R. Beauregard. 2001. Finite element modeling of dimensional stability in layered wood composites. 35th International Particleboard/Composite Materials Symposium, April 3-5. Washington State University, Pullman, WA.nDong, Y., T. Nakao, C. Tanaka, A. Takahashi, and Y. Nishino. 1992. Evaluation of the characteristics of wood based panels by the in-and out of-planes vibration technique. Mokuzai-Gakkaishi. 38(7):678-686. In Japanese with summary in English.nGanev, S.B., A. Cloutier, R. Beauregard, and G. Gendron. 2003. Effect of moisture content and density on moisture movement in MDF Panels. Wood Fiber Sci. 35(1): 68-82.nHalligan, A.F., and A.P. Schniewind. 1974. Prediction of particleboard mechanical properties at various moisture contents. Wood Sci. Technol. 8: 68-78.nHunt, M.O., and S.K Suddarth. 1974. Prediction of elastic constants of particleboard. Forest. Prod. J. 24(5):52-57.nKeylwerth, R. 1958. The mechanics of multi-layer particle boards. Holz Roh-Werkst. 16(11):419-430. In German with summary in English.nLee W.C., and E.J. Biblis. 1976. Effects of high and low relative humidity cycle on properties of southern yellow pine particleboards. Forest. Prod. J. 26(6): 32-35.nMoarcas, O., and M. Irle. 1999. Determination of Poisson's ratio for particleboard in pure bending. Wood Sci. Technol. 33: 439-444.nNakao, T., and O. Takeshi. 1987. Evaluation of modulus of rigidity by dynamic plate shear testing. Wood Fiber Sci., 19(4): 332-338.nNeumüller J., and P. Niemz. 1983. Untersuchungen zur Ermittlung von Materialkenwerten an Holzpartikelwerkstoffen. Holztechnologie 24(4): 195-200.nSchulte, M., and A. Frühvald. 1996. Shear modulus, internal bond and density profile of medium density fiberboard (MDF). Holz RohWerkst. 54:49-55.nShen, K.C. 1970. Correlation between internal bond and the shear strength measured by twisting thin plates of particleboard. Forest Prod. J. 20 (11):16-20.nSteiger, J. H. 1980. Tests for comparing elements of a correlation matrix. Psychol. Bull. 87(2): 245-251.nSuchsland, O., D. E Lyon, and P. E. Short. 1978. Selected properties of commercial medium-density fiber-boards. Forest Prod. J. 28(9):45-49.nTang, R.C, and J.N Lee. 1999. Tensile properties of wood composite boards: Effect of relative humidity. Proc. Pacific Timber Engineering Conference, 14-18 March. Rotoruz, New Zealand.nTong, Y., and O. Suchsland. 1993. Application of finite element analysis to panel warping Holz RohWerkst, 51(1): 55-57.nWang, S.Y., T.Y. Chen, and J.D Fann 1999. Comparison of internal bond strength and compression shear strength of wood-based materials. J. Wood Sci. 1999 (54): 396-401.nWatkinson, P.J., and N.L. Gosliga. 1989. Effect of moisture content on mechanical and dimensional properties of New Zealand particleboards and fiberboards. 1989., Proc. the Second Pacific Timber Engineering Conference, 28-31 August 1989. University of Auckland, New Zealand, Volume 1 [edited by Walford, G.B.]. 171-176 Auckland, New Zealand; Centre for Continuing Education, University of Auckland.n

Downloads

Published

2007-06-05

Issue

Number 2 / April 2005

Section

Research Contributions

License

The copyright of an article published in Wood and Fiber Science is transferred to the Society of Wood Science and Technology (for U. S. Government employees: to the extent transferable), effective if and when the article is accepted for publication. This transfer grants the Society of Wood Science and Technology permission to republish all or any part of the article in any form, e.g., reprints for sale, microfiche, proceedings, etc. However, the authors reserve the following as set forth in the Copyright Law:

1. All proprietary rights other than copyright, such as patent rights.

2. The right to grant or refuse permission to third parties to republish all or part of the article or translations thereof. In the case of whole articles, such third parties must obtain Society of Wood Science and Technology written permission as well. However, the Society may grant rights with respect to Journal issues as a whole.

3. The right to use all or part of this article in future works of their own, such as lectures, press releases, reviews, text books, or reprint books.