LAYER THICKNESS SWELL CHARACTERISTICS OF MEDIUM DENSITY FIBREBOARD (MDF) PANELS AFFECTED BY SOME PRODUCTION PARAMETERS

Abstract

This study is aimed at investigating the effects of some production parameters on the layer thickness swell (LTS) properties of the medium density fibreboard (MDF). The MDF panels used in this study were manufactured using continuous press technology. A total of eighteen MDF panels, with three repetitions for each: resin content (RC), mat moisture content (MC), and continuous press speed (CPS), were produced. The vertical density profile (VDP), thickness swell (TS), and LTS tests were performed in the present study. The results obtained in this study indicate that VDP was affected by mat MC and CPS. In addition, it was found that the VDP has some effects on the TS and LTS values of the panels. The findings obtained in this study indicate that it is important to understand the influences of RC, MC, and CPS on the LTS properties of the MDF panels for optimizing the structure in the development of new wood composite products as well as improving the production process.