Medium-density fibreboard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Medium-density fibreboard (MDF or MDFB) is an engineered wood product formed by breaking down softwood into wood fibres, often in a defibrator, combining it with wax and resin, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure. It is a building material similar in application to plywood but made up of separated fibres, not wood veneers. It is denser than normal particleboard.
Large-scale production of MDF began in the 1980s. Its name derives from the distinction in densities of fibreboard. MDF typically has a density of 600-800 kg/m³, in contrast to particle board (160-450 kg/m³) and to high-density fibreboard (500-1450 kg/m³). Similar manufacturing processes are used in making all types of fibreboard.
MDF is also known as Customwood or Craftwood[citation needed].
MDF has been controversial in regards to its use of formaldehyde resins and the associated health risks. Thus, other resins are being considered and used instead of formaldehyde.
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[edit] Manufacturing
MDF is a wood product created by breaking down a softwood into a powder, which is then mixed with wax and resin. The final finish is created by submitting the boards to high temperatures.
In Australia the main species wood used for MDF is plantation-grown radiata pine. However a variety of other products have also been used including other woods, waste paper and fibres.
The trees are debarked after being cut. The bark can be sold for use in landscaping, or burned in on-site furnaces. The debarked logs are sent to the MDF plant where they go though the chipping process. A typical disk chipper contains 4-16 blades. Any resulting chips that are too large may be re-chipped; undersized chips may be used as fuel. All chips are then washed and checked for defects.
The chips are then compacted using a screwfeeder, and will be heated for 30-120 seconds to soften the wood; they are then fed into a defibrator which maintains high pressure and temperature. The pulp that exits from the defibrator is fine, fluffy, and light in weight and in colour.
From the defibrator the pulp enters a blow line where it is joined with wax (to improve moisture resistance) and resin (to stop the pulp from forming bundles). The material expands in size and is then heated by heating coils. When it comes out it may be stored in bins for an indefinite length of time.
After this drying period the board goes through a "Pendistor" process which creates 230-610 mm thick boards. Then it is cut and continues to the press. Here it is pressed for a few minutes, to make a stronger and denser board.
After pressing MDF is cooled in a star dryer, trimmed and sanded. In certain applications boards are also laminated for extra strength.
The Environmental Impact of MDF has greatly improved over the years. Today many MDF boards are made from a variety of materials. These include other woods, scrap, recycled paper, bamboo, carbon fibres and polymers, steel, glass, forest thinning and sawmill off-cuts.
[edit] Health Risks
MDF is generally a safe product. However, its use of the carcinogen formaldehyde presents a clear health risk to those that work with MDF. Exposure to dust from milling and cutting MDF presents a risk to workers, though steps can be taken to minimize risk.
An in-depth description of the health concerns is at http://www.childrensfurniture.co.uk/mdf.html.
[edit] Comparison to Natural Woods
Benefits of MDF:
- Less expensive than natural wood
- Generally easier to work with[citation needed]
- Consistent in strength and size
Drawbacks of MDF:
- Heavier (the resins are heavy)
- Requires painting
- Swells and breaks when waterlogged
- Warps or expands if not sealed
- Contains urea-formaldehyde which may cause eye and lung irritation when cutting and sanding
- Dulls blades more quickly than many woods
[edit] Different kinds of MDF
There are different kinds of MDF, which are sometimes labeled by color:
- Moisture-resistant is typically green
- Fire-retardant MDF is typically red
- High finition for powder lacking
[edit] In Media
MDF was used often on the British TV's Changing Rooms, leading to "YMDF", a YMCA parody.
[edit] See also
- Engineered wood
- Fiberboard
- Glued laminated timber
- Hardboard
- Masonite
- Oriented strand board
- Particle board
- Plywood
- Pressed wood
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- The Production Process of Humewood MDF (Humewood is a product of Hume Fibreboards Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian fibreboard manufacturer)
- The Medium Density Fiberboard Home Page (although not updated or maintained, still a valuable reference)
- Wood Dust - dangers of exposure to wood dust, including MDF dust (from the Worker's Health Centre)
- MDF: All You Need to Know
- Medium Density Fibreboard - from Investment New Zealand, a division of New Zealand's economic development agency.
