Experimental Investigation of Vertical Density Profile of Medium Density Fiberboard in Hot Press

Asfar Hameed Minhas,Khamael M Abualnaja,Muftooh Ur Rehman Siddiqi,Asim Ahmad Riaz,Naveed Ullah,Riaz Muhammad,Khaled Althubeiti

doi:10.3390/app112210769

Abstract

This research investigates the performance of medium density fiberboard (MDF) with respect to hot press parameters. The performance of the board, type of glue, and production efficiency determine the optimum temperature and pressure for hot pressing. The actual temperature of the hot press inside the MDF board determines the properties of the final product. Hence, the optimal hot press parameters for the desired product are experimentally obtained. Moreover, MDF is experimentally investigated in terms of its vertical density profile, bending, and internal bonding under the various input parameters of temperature, pressure, cycle time, and moisture content during the manufacturing process. The experimental study is carried out by varying the temperature, pressure, cycle time, and moisture content in the ranges of 200–220 °C, 145–155 bar, 260–275 s, and 8–10%, respectively. Consequently, the optimum input parameters of a hot-pressing temperature of 220 °C, pressure of 155 bar, cycle time of 256 s, and moisture content of 8% are identified for the required internal bonding (0.64 N/mm2), bending (32 N/mm2), and increase in both the core and peak density of the vertical density profile as per the ASTM standard.

Highlights

Medium density fiberboard is a wood board manufactured under optimal hot press conditions using wood fibers and applying the urea formaldehyde resin
Several tests were performed on medium density fiberboard (MDF) board by varying the hot press parameters, i.e., temperature, pressure, cycle time, and moisture content
According to the experimental data, the maximum value of bending is 32 N/mm2, corresponding to the maximum internal bonding of 0.64 N/mm2. These are achieved by applying a pressure of 155 bar with a temperature of 220 ◦ C, cycle time of s, and moisture content of 8%

Summary

Introduction

Medium density fiberboard is a wood board manufactured under optimal hot press conditions using wood fibers and applying the urea formaldehyde resin. MDF boards have several indoor and outdoor applications but are mainly used in the furniture industry as a replacement for solid wood [1]. There are three types of production lines in MDF manufacturing, .

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