Medium density fibreboard (MDF) is a wood panel material made from wood cutting by-products in the saw mill, such as saw dust and wood chippings. These are bound together at high temperature and high pressure using resins and wax to make panel products.
The materials used in MDF often come from Pinewood but just about any type of wood waste can be used.
MDF is an extremely versatile material. It can be used around the home, in shops and offices and other commercial premises and can even be used to make gift boxes. It's generally denser than plywood and has similar applications.
The materials used in MDF often come from Pinewood but just about any type of wood waste can be used.
MDF is an extremely versatile material. It can be used around the home, in shops and offices and other commercial premises and can even be used to make gift boxes. It's generally denser than plywood and has similar applications.
Large scale production of MDF board started in Europe and North America in the 1980's and is still going strong with more and more demand.
MDF Board
MDF is a relatively inexpensive material compared with real wood and it glues and paints well.
It has a smooth, even finish without the irregularities associated with other panel products and there is no grain direction to worry about.
It's also very strong in compression, having almost twice the strength of particle board and it can be easily sawn, drilled and screwed using suitable wood fasteners.
However, just like particle board, MDF acts like a sponge and will absorb water readily and quickly unless it's properly sealed.
MDF has less strength than real wood which means that it may crack or split under pressure. It doesn't take nails well, so screws are always a better option. However, even when using screws, more may be required to prevent 'drooping'.
MDF also has some major environmental disadvantages...
The resins and binders used in MDF may contain formaldehyde which is a substance capable of causing cancer and which tends to 'off-gas' for years. This means MDF should always be sealed using laminates, veneers or painting to lock the gas in and not left 'raw'.
MDF can be recycled but the re-cycling processes are relatively new and there are few re-cycling centres available, so it's generally burned, or sent to landfill after use.
Unfortunately, in landfill the chemicals in the MDF may leach out over time and pollute the surrounding ground and water supply.
Furthermore, the resins used to produce MDF are emitted as dust when the material is drilled or sawn, so this can create a serious health and safety issues in the workplace.
This means that effective and often expensive mechanical extraction systems need to be installed in the workplace and operatives must wear suitable masks to filter the air they breathe.
Please Feel Free To Add Your Comments Below...
No comments:
Post a Comment