IMPORTANT NOTE

This web page is part of a web site that is no longer actively maintained by anybody at ANU SRES. It has been left on the web due to its apparent popularity (every time we've removed it, people have complained within 24 hours), but is presented AS IS - attempting to contact any individual named on the page is likely to fail, and the SRES webmaster doesn't want to hear about such failures or entertain any communication about updating of the page's contents. You have been warned.

Manufacture and Usage of MDF

The MDF used in this study was composed of approximately 95% radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) and 5% of a hardwood, eucalypt typically being used. The hardwood content can be changed to induce different properties in the final MDF. MDF consists of wood fibres (including; tracheids in softwoods, and vessels, fibres, fibre-tracheids and parenchyma cells in hardwood [Evans, 1994]) blended with synthetic thermosetting formaldehyde based resins and then pressed into boards (Figure ). MDF can be made from a wide variety of lignocellulosic materials and an important implication of this is the use of recycled materials and non-wood fibres in its manufacture. Many softwoods and even bamboo [Wang, 1991], rice husks and waste paper [Dube, 1995] have been used successfully in the manufacture of MDF, although the type of wood used in its manufacture strongly influence board properties [Myers, 1983] . Combinations of wood and non-wood materials are increasingly being used to enhance specific properties, particularly strength, density and sorption characteristics [Park, 1993]. MDF is increasingly being used as a replacement for other wood products, and its use in engineering fields is increasing. Russian research using smaller sheets and smaller fastening intervals than that of traditional cladding have demonstrated the feasibility of using MDF as a cladding for houses [Voevodin, 1986]. Research outlined in this thesis examined MDF in its raw form. It is often available with an exterior melamine laminate, which provides aesthetic properties and can improve the sorption characteristics.

  
Figure: MDF products. Clockwise from left - Laminated MDF, HDPB, fibre bundle used in the manufacture, machined MDF, melamine paper, knotty pine veneer, pacific maple veneer

  
Figure: MDF - products left to right - 35 mm MDF, 10 mm MDF, 3 mm MDF. Also shown is the digital vernier used for linear measurements throughout the thesis

  
Figure: Simplified schematic diagram of the processes involved in the manufacture of MDF.