Fibreboard

[edit] Introduction

Fibreboard (fiberboard US) is a generic term for fibrous boards, normally from timber, though not exclusively. Differing the size, density and processing of the fibres in to a board produces different products, with differing characteristics, related products such as particle board and chipboard, may also be categorised as types of fibreboard although in general there are 3 types of fibreboard by descriptive name.

• High-density fibreboard (HDF) - over 750 kg/m³ density, normally around 900 kg/m³.
• Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) - density of 620-750 kg/m³.
• Low-density fibreboard (LDF) - lower than around 600 kg/m³, normally around 550 kg/m³.

Particle board is the contemporary name for what used to most commonly be called chipboard, it is a type of fibreboard and might also be referred to as low density fibreboard (LDF). It is a versatile, material that is relatively cheap and can be used to make furniture (including carcasses for kitchen units), other cabinet applications, floor decking, flooring shelving and general building work. There are a number of different products that fall under the category of particle board which vary based on how they are made, composite additions and how they are faced.

[edit] History

Although the material was originally formulated in late 19th century Germany, it was not until the Second World War that it was produced commercially. The earlier board products were often made using blood albumin glue, whilst later commercial products used phenolic resins, amino formaldehyde-, urea formaldehyde-, or urea melamine-based, today there are also some fibreboard products that use glues with lesser environmental impacts.

[edit] Alternative fibreboards

It is possible to make board products from various different fibrous materials and as such a number of fibreboard alternatives exist, in particular boards produced from different types of rapidly renewable content such as;

Hempboard

Strawboard

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Adhesives.
• Blockboard.
• Cedar.
• Chipboard.
• Confederation of Timber Industries.
• Cross-laminated timber.
• Engineered bamboo.
• Glulam.
• Hardboard.
• Laminated veneer lumber LVL.
• Lime wood.
• Low-density fibreboard LDF.
• Medium density fibreboard - MDF.
• Modified wood.
• Oriented strand board.
• Plywood.
• Softwood.
• Timber.
• Timber construction for London.
• Timber preservation.
• Timber vs wood.
• Types of timber.