Any work requires knowledge of the material used. This is especially true if the process concerns the finishing and production of interior items. For such events, it is often used fibreboard, which plays the role of rough and fine cladding or furniture parts, so it is important to take into account the features, types and scope of products.
At the mention of this abbreviation, associations most often arise with panels of small thickness used in everyday life, but for a correct understanding, decoding of fiberboard is necessary. This name is an abbreviation for the phrase "fibreboard".
This term means large group products based on wood raw materials, crushed to fibers, which are often presented as independent options. Their size can be different, which affects the parameters of the sheet - strength and density.
Fibreboards (MDF) differ from chipboards (chipboards) and oriented strands (OSBs) by the fraction of the material Types and grades of material
Wood products are usually sorted according to the method of production and type of processing.
Classification by manufacturing method
There are two main technologies that allow you to obtain products with the desired performance.
Wet
With this method, two varieties are obtained:
- Solid. Such material has a more common name - hardboard. The letter T is used for marking. Popular products:
- with a front layer of wood finely dispersed mass - Т-С;
- tinted - T-P;
- combining the two previous options - T-SP;
- T-S moisture resistant - T-SV;
- superhard - ST.
- Soft. Such details have less strength, so they tend to be thicker. They are also divided by density into M1, M2 and M3. How more figure, the higher the score.
Materials made in this way are the most common. This is due to their availability and good properties.
It is impossible to speak with confidence about the advantage of wet or dry production methods, because the purpose and characteristics of the plates are very different. Dry
This method differs significantly from the previous one. There are three categories of products by density:
- low - LDF;
- medium - MDF;
- high - HDF.
All abbreviations stand for "fibreboard" with a distinctive parameter.
On a note! These materials are not included in normative documents, moreover, some of them refer to foreign standards.
Of the entire line of fiberboards, hardboard and MDF are considered the most famous, they are used both in interior decoration and in the manufacture of furniture.
decorative type
Fiberboard is also subdivided according to the type of coating:
There are also materials with low and high moisture resistance. Additional protection from the impact of water depends on the additives used in the production, the most common is paraffin.
Perforated sheets are mainly used as decorative mesh on furniture and different kind boxes, while the top layer can be laminated, laminated or painted Characteristics of fibreboard
The main parameters of fiberboard depend on the manufacturing technology and variety, so the values \u200b\u200bmay vary significantly. Standard indicators:
- Thermal conductivity. From 0.046 to 0.093.
- Density. For soft products - from 200 to 400 kg / m 3, for hard and superhard - from 600 to 1100 kg / m 3.
- Humidity. From 4 to 10%.
- Dimensions. They can be different, the most common options are: 2140 * 1220, 2440 * 1220 and 2745 * 1700 mm, thickness - from 2 to 40 mm.
- The weight. Depends on the dimensions, the minimum is 4.5 kg, the maximum is more than 100 kg for parts of the largest format.
The characteristics of wood fiber products largely depend on the level of density Product advantages:
- Long service life. If the scope is defined correctly, then the operational period is at least 20 years. But this is only possible when finishing rooms that are not subject to constant impact.
- Additional heat and noise insulation. The sound absorption parameters depend on the density and thickness of the parts. The soft variety is well suited for studio sheathing. The reduction in heat loss also depends on the dimensions of the slab and the presence of a layer mineral wool or other material.
- Moisture resistance. Only dense panels with additional protective treatment have this property.
- Decorative. A wide variety of coatings provides the possibility of creating individual solutions in the interior.
Minuses:
- Low strength. This applies to products with low density or soft options. Although the structure is quite stable, point impacts can damage the coating.
- Deformation. Prolonged exposure to moisture leads to swelling and delamination. Improper storage also has a detrimental effect: the panel bends, which creates internal stress during installation.
Therefore, when choosing a material, it is necessary to determine in advance desired properties for a specific situation.
Fiberboard boards without decor are used for preliminary rough sheathing, and sheets with decorative coating finishing cladding is done Production technology
Wood fiber boards can be made different technologies, some steps in the process may differ. On the this moment the most common option in Russia is the "wet" method. The "dry" method is being introduced rather slowly, most of the products manufactured in this way come from abroad.
For production, wood raw materials are used from the remnants of the manufacture of sawn timber and second-rate coniferous or hardwood. This may be a crushed fraction of sawdust and wood chips, going for processing.
The technology for the production of fiberboards is relatively simple, but it is unrealistic to organize it in artisanal conditions.
The technology looks like this:
- The mass is subjected to repeated cleaning to remove dirt and impurities.
- The processed raw material goes through a pre-drying stage.
- The mixture is sent to multi-level grinding. The procedure allows you to get fibers right size for a specific type of plate. Often at this stage, two compositions with different fractions are prepared, mixing them allows you to increase the reliability of the material.
- The concentrate is treated with binding resins and necessary components.
The description of the following stages is different: with the “wet” method, the mass is placed in pools, from where, after holding, it enters the hot press, with the “dry” method, the resulting composition is also sent to the press, where, under the influence of temperature and high pressure plate is formed.
Application
In view of the fact that fiberboard sheet material, the scope of its use is quite extensive:
- Furniture manufacturing. Products are suitable for creating frame and facade elements. The bottom of drawers and the back walls of cabinets and chests of drawers are made from thin varieties. Colored details with decorative cladding are inserted into frame facades or cover open areas between fragments of slides and walls. It is also a great base for a mirror.
- Construction. Although the material is not suitable for outdoor use, it is laid in attics as additional element floors, increasing the level of thermal insulation. When erecting interior partitions the frame is sheathed with plates.
- Finishing activities. Fiberboard is suitable for many internal works. The main purpose is wall and floor cladding, ceiling filing in a single plane. The product can also be used for cleaning work.
- Door manufacturing. The cellular base is lined on both sides. The resulting canvas weighs a little, but is not reliable. Also, the elements are used as inserts in the production of iron doors.
Lightweight and comfortable material now used not only in the manufacture of furniture, but also in almost all types of finishes Sphere fiberboard applications much more extensive: plates are used to make packaging, spacers, sheathe equipment.
Harm to health
The environmental friendliness of wood-fiber materials always causes a lot of controversy. The fact is that during production (especially by the “wet” method), formaldehyde resin is added to the material. But since a very fine fraction is used and the compaction is quite dense, a small amount of binder is required. In addition, selection is possible only on open areas, which are practically absent in any work.
In products made by the "dry" method, a harmful component may be absent.
To minimize the risk, it is necessary to choose materials with safety certificates.
Due to the steady decline in the stock of industrial wood, the production of all kinds of materials made from sawmill and wood processing waste is becoming more relevant than ever. It is to this group that fiberboard and chipboard belong, without the use of which neither the furniture industry, nor construction, nor many other industries (machine and shipbuilding, container production, etc.) can do.
Consumers often confuse these materials, although their production and appearance, and functional properties differ. What is the difference?
Production
Chipboard, as the name implies, is created on the basis of a large fraction of wood chips. The source of raw materials for production is substandard wood, wood chips and sawdust.
The production process proceeds as follows: crushed raw materials are dried and wetted through nozzles with binders. Synthetic carbamide, phenolic or urea-melamine resins are used as a binder.
When using the latter in combination with paraffin emulsions, a moisture-resistant chipboard is obtained, which on the cut is distinguished by the presence of specific inclusions of greenish conglomerates. This is the best material to use for finishing works and flooring in rooms with high humidity.
The processed mixture of chips and resins can be molded:
- single-layer, when chips of various fractions are mixed and evenly distributed over the entire plate;
- from two layers, when the underlying layer is made from waste, and the front layer is a mixture of thin and wide chips specially sorted on the separator;
- from two front layers made of selected raw materials and a core in which less quality waste is used.
The molded particle carpet is sent for pressing, drying, cutting the boards to size and grinding the ends.
As finishing, especially if chipboard is planned to be sent to decorative cladding, grinding of the entire surface can be additionally applied.
Unlike particle board, wood fiber materials require, after splitting the feedstock into chips, two additional stages of mechanical processing:
- initial coarse grinding on defibrators;
- finer grinding in refiners.
As a result, the wood is separated into individual fibers. Such macroprocessed pulp is the basis of hardboard, and hemp fire, linen production waste, and waste paper can also be used in its creation. The reciped mass is sent to further processing in tanks where it is soaked in a water mixture of hardening additives and glued with water-repellent substances.
Fiberboard is the back walls of furniture, material for finishing the floor, camp and ceiling of houses and outbuildings The mixture prepared in this way enters the casting machines, after which it passes the stage of thermal pressing at a temperature of 210-230°C and a maintained pressure of 3-5 MPa.
Formed webs can undergo additional thermochemical hardening, it is this effect that provides them with hard and superhard properties that are best suited for structural elements buildings, arranging the subfloor, creating internal partitions.
Appearance
Quite large particles of wood are visually visible on the surface of unfinished particle boards, in contrast to them, hardboard resembles thick cardboard. A significant difference in the thickness of the material:
- Chipboard can be produced in sheets of at least 10 mm thick, and the maximum value of this value reaches 50 mm;
- Fiberboard is much more "elegant" - from 2.5 to 7 mm.
To improve decorative properties, the surface of fiberboard and chipboard is often finished. But if hardboard is mainly painted as a finish, and technological methods caching and lamination are used less frequently, then chipboard ennobled with melamine films is found everywhere.
Wide known cover for the floor, commonly known as "laminate", is essentially a flooring made from chipboard high density and lined with acrylic or melamine resin.
In addition, veneering can be used to finish chipboard panels - gluing on chipboard surface veneer (thin sheets natural wood). It is veneered chipboard that is used in the manufacture of furniture.
Safety
Evaporation of phenol-formaldehyde resin used to create particle boards is by no means harmless to human health. However, manufacturers are constantly working to improve the safety of their products, and urea, which is less toxic, is increasingly replacing formaldehyde. The best from this point of view are particle boards produced in Germany and Austria.
Ecologists have much less complaints about fiberboard, but before choosing a material, it is still better to ask the seller for a hygienic certificate of conformity. It should be remembered that products marked with the letter E1 are more environmental cleanliness although its price is somewhat higher.
What material is better?
This question is somewhat incorrect, since in fact it is like comparing warm with soft. Each type of material is best used for its own purposes.
Chipboard is great for:
- implementation of interior partitions;
- wall insulation from the inside;
- arrangement of the subfloor;
- furniture production.
In the latter case, hardboard is also useful, because the back walls of cabinets and all kinds of drawers are made from this material. All kinds of wall surfaces are trimmed with fiberboard, especially in country houses, on balconies and in garages, because they are much less afraid of moisture than thick particle boards. Hardboard is also suitable as a substrate for the floor or an insulating layer on the ceiling, and real virtuosos of the construction business will easily turn its sheets into an elegant interior arch or patterned door.
Fibreboard (MDF) is a sheet material obtained by pressing a mixture of wood fibers and special additives at high temperatures. industrial production was launched in 1922 in the USA. At present, the production of products from fiberboard is widespread in many countries of the world. But, despite this, not everyone will be able to answer the question: “Fiberboard - what is it?” Let's see what this material is and where it is used.
Raw materials for the production of fibreboard
For fiberboard manufacturing woodworking and sawmilling waste, wood chips, plant fires, etc. are used. Wood raw materials are processed into fiber in defibrators by steaming and grinding.
Synthetic resins are added as a binder to the pressed mass. Their number depends on the ratio of softwood and hardwood fibers and varies, as a rule, in the range of 4-7%. In the case of the production of soft boards, the binder may not be introduced, since the wood fibers contain lignin, which has adhesive properties when high temperatures.
To increase moisture resistance, ceresin, paraffin or rosin are introduced into the mass. In addition, other special additives, in particular antiseptics, are used in the manufacture of plates.
Methods for the production of fiberboard boards
As a rule, fibreboards are produced by wet and dry processes.
In the process of making fiberboard wet way carpet board, consisting of wood fiber pulp, formed in water and pressed under heat. After that, the resulting sheet is cut into sheets. The moisture content of such material is in the range from 60 to 70%.
With the dry method, the formation of the carpet occurs in air at higher temperatures and lower pressures compared to the wet method. The result of such production is the production of low-pressure boards, characterized by a looser and more porous structure and relatively low humidity (from 6 to 8%).
There are also intermediate manufacturing methods - wet-dry and semi-dry. In the first case, the carpet of the slab is formed in water, after which it is dried and only after that it is pressed. In the second, the manufacture of fiberboards is carried out according to the dry method, but the moisture content of the material changes (from 16 to 18%).
Types of fibreboard
Fiberboards, depending on the properties and purpose, are divided into several types. Let's look at their characteristics and applications.
Soft fiberboard - what is it?
The material is characterized by low strength, high porosity and low thermal conductivity. The thickness of the plate can be from 8 to 25 mm. Material densities range from 150 to 350 kg per cubic meter. meter. Depending on the density, the following brands of soft fiberboards are distinguished: M-1, M-2, M-3.
Due to their low strength, soft boards are not used as the base material. Most often they are used in construction as a sound and heat insulating material in the construction of walls, floors, roofs, etc.
Semi-hard fibreboards
This type of slab has a much higher strength and density compared to soft slabs. The average density of semi-solid fiberboard sheets is at least 850 kg per cubic meter. meter. The thickness of the fiberboard sheet is 6-12 mm. The material is widely used in the production of such furniture structures as drawers, rear walls, shelves, etc.
Solid fiberboard options
Hardboard density values range from 800 to 1000 kg per cubic meter. meter (high rates for fiberboard). The dimensions of the carpet thickness are on average from 2.5 to 6 mm. Of these fiberboard sheets produce rear walls of furniture, panel doors and a number of other products.
Solid sheets of fiberboard, depending on the indicators of density, strength and type of front side, are divided into the following grades:
- T - plate, the front surface of which is not ennobled;
- T-C - has a front layer made of finely dispersed wood pulp;
- T-V - has an unfinished front surface and is characterized by increased water resistance;
- T-SV - the front layer of the material is made of a finely dispersed mass, the material is characterized by increased water resistance;
- T-P - the front layer of the plate is tinted;
- T-SP - has a tinted front layer of finely dispersed mass;
- NT is a material characterized by a reduced density.
Super hard plates
This material is characterized high quality performance, ease of processing and ease of installation. It has an increased density, the values \u200b\u200bof which are at least 950 kg per cubic meter. meter. The material acquires high hardness due to impregnation of fiberboard sheet with pectol. What it is? Pectol is a by-product from the processing of tall oil. Superhard plates are used for construction purposes for the manufacture of doors, arches, partitions, for the production various kinds fiberboard containers. On the floor are used for the manufacture of floor coverings.
Refined wood fiber boards (DVPO)
Distinctive advantages of ennobled fiberboards are beautiful appearance, high resistance to abrasion and moisture. In the production of this type of slabs, a technology is used that provides for the application of front side multilayer coating. After careful processing, a primer layer that creates the background part is applied to the surface. Then a pattern is printed that mimics the wood structure.
Ennobled boards are used for the manufacture of doors, as a material for finishing ceilings and walls, etc. They are also used to make various internal furniture parts (lower and rear walls of cabinets, drawers, etc.).
Laminated fibreboard (HDF)
To date, fiberboard laminated is also produced. This is a material that is sheets on which a special composition of synthetic resins is applied. Thanks to this coating, laminated fiberboard is characterized by increased strength and moisture resistance. This makes it possible to use it for various purposes.
Fiberboard: sheet dimensions
Despite the small thickness, fiberboard sheets are quite impressive in size. So, the length of the carpet can be from 1.22 to 3 m, and the width - from 1.22 to 1.7 m. Fiberboard is also produced, the sheet dimensions of which are 6.1 × 2.14 m. This is the maximum area of manufactured fiberboard . Sheet dimensions allow the use of such material for industrial purposes.
Conclusion
Now we know the answer to the question: "Fibreboard - what is it?" Awareness is important point when choosing certain building materials. After all, the quality and financial cost of the construction or facing work performed will depend on the correct choice.
Fiberboard is a fibreboard. It is obtained by hot pressing the mass, which includes wood dust, cellulose fibers, synthetic polymers, water and special additives. Fiberboard is used in the manufacture of furniture, in car building and construction.
Types of fiberboard are distinguished by characteristics that are associated with the use of boards: biostable, slow-burning, bituminous, hardboard (painted or lined boards). Also, the plates are divided according to the degree of density and degree of softness.
Fiberboard characteristics: high moisture resistance, durability (service life up to 30 years), economy (this material is one of the most affordable).
Of the shortcomings of the material, the most important is non-environmental friendliness. Some harm to human health is caused by resins that are part of fiberboard. Therefore, it is forbidden to make children's furniture from this material.
Chipboard - chipboard. This composite material obtained by hot pressing of wood shavings, special additives and non-mineral resins. Chipboard is used for furniture production and in construction.
Chipboard has its own classification according to the number of layers, according to the characteristics of the outer layer, water resistance, fire resistance and density.
The advantages of chipboard include fire safety and efficiency.
The disadvantages are, firstly, the resins that make up the chipboard, which eventually begin to stand out and harm human health. Secondly, chipboard does not hold fasteners in itself well. Over time, they become loose and are practically not fixed during repeated repairs. Thirdly, chipboard is easily subject to deformation due to its friability. Fourthly, chipboard is afraid of moisture. Fifthly, this material eventually acquires a sloppy appearance due to peeling of the edges of the ends of the plates.
Differences between chipboard and fiberboard
Chipboard is made from shavings of low-value wood species. Additional materials are synthetic resins. Fiberboard is made from wood dust and cellulose fibers. Additional materials- synthetic polymers, rosin and paraffin;
- fiberboard thickness from 2.5 to 12 mm, chipboard thickness can reach up to 25 mm;
- Fiberboard is more resistant to moisture, and chipboard can withstand heavy loads;
- prices for chipboard are much higher than for fiberboard;
- Chipboard is used in laying floors and in the manufacture of furniture - structural elements; scope of use of fiberboard - the production of furniture elements - boxes, shelves, racks, the construction of partitions;
- The service life of chipboard is much less than fiberboard.
These sheet products have gained popularity in the private sector, largely due to the fact that they can be processed well, and their installation does not differ in any complexity. Plus - a fairly low cost of products, which makes it affordable for a wide range of buyers. But whether fiberboard and chipboard are the same in application, and if not, then what are the differences, not everyone understands. Hence, often disappointment, since their use in construction or repair without taking into account specific features will not give the proper result.
The main and significant difference between chipboard and fiberboard is in the specifics of their manufacture. Moreover, the difference is not in the technology itself, but in the raw materials that are used in production. The erroneous opinion that these are just varieties of one material is due to the fact that wood is partially present (in one form or another) at the base of each sample. But that's where the similarity actually ends.
The abbreviation stands for " chipboard". This material is the result of pressing the raw mass, consisting of chips, sawdust, mixed with resin (usually formaldehyde). Moreover, in the process of squeezing the mixture, it is subjected to significant thermal effects.
Material Features
Material Features
It is characterized by greater density and increased water-repellent properties, and in addition, it bends well (within certain limits). Fiberboard sheets are often used in the furniture industry (for back walls various cabinets, as the bottoms of drawers), in the manufacture of various containers, and the like.
At home given material it is often laid on plank floors, when large gaps have formed between the boards, and it is not possible to repair them (“relaying” the coating). As an option - arrangement multi-level ceiling. At self-manufacturing fiberboard doors used for framing.
In garages, walls, gates, even ceilings are often trimmed with such sheets, which allows you to “cover” the gaps and additionally insulate the box (especially metal). This product is characterized by high sound and thermal insulation characteristics, which cannot be said about "chipboard" boards.
The range of fiberboard sheets is much wider than chipboard. On sale there are samples with a laminated or painted front side, and different colors th shades.
Comparing these materials, it makes no sense to determine which is better. Each is distinguished by its specific properties inherent only to it and is good in its own way. It is only necessary when buying to consider what these plates will be intended for.