Hardboard

Hardboard is a generic name given to some of the early types of thin composite board product, that were a density of around 600 kg/m³, today these products might be referred to as MDF or HDF, though formally HDF tends to be significantly denser.

Hardboard is a thin sheet product, as low as around 3mm and up to 8mm, often used as a backboard for furniture, it is sometimes used as underlay for floor fit-outs but not for laminates (which require denser HDF products). It is a rigid and relatively cheap product but prone to damage by moisture and damp. As with any composite fibre product care should be taken when cutting and appropriate equipment used.

The production of composite board products generally uses one of two processes; a dry process and a wet/dry process. The former uses synthetic binders, often formaldehyde-based agents or glues, to bind the wood fibres under pressure. The latter might use steam and pressure along with increased levels of natural binders to glue or cement the wood fibres together to form a board. There are also a number of variations in between the two processes and the environmental impacts of the two types of process can be significant, so it is worthwhile asking about manufacturing details.

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