Abstract
Properties of medium density fiberboard (MDF) panels in relation to wood and fiber characteristics were investigated. Laboratory MDF panels were manufactured from raw fiber materials from black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP.], three hybrid poplar clones (Populus spp.), two exotic larch (Larix gmelinii and Larix sibirica), and a mix of spruce, pine, and fir wood chips. The panels were evaluated for modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), internal bond (IB), linear expansion (LE), thickness swelling (TS), and water absorption (WA). These properties were analyzed as response variables. As predictor variables, various wood and fiber characteristics were measured, including wood density, pH, base buffering capacity and fiber coarseness. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to develop functional relationships between panel properties (response variables) and wood fiber characteristics (predictor variables). Ten dummy variables were created and incorporated into the analysis to examine the effects of wood species or type on MDF panel properties. MOR was negatively related to arithmetic fine percentage. MOE was negatively affected by the percentage of small particles (>200 mesh) and wood pH. IB strength was negatively related to arithmetic fine percentage and fiber pH, but positively related to the percentage of small particles (>200 mesh). Wood density affected LE. TS was negatively affected by arithmetic mean fiber length. Arithmetic mean fiber width had a negative effect on panel WA. The presence of dummy variables in the models for MOE, IB and LE indicates that wood fiber characteristics other than those measured in this study significantly affected these panel properties. The study indicates that the refining process can play a significant role in manipulating MDF panel properties.
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