Particle-Based Materials

Abstract

The content of this chapter includes particle-based materials such as particleboard, extruded particleboard, molded particleboard, oriented strand board (OSB), and cement-bonded wood-based panels. Particleboard is presented as the main product. According to the manufacturing process, a distinction is made between flat-pressed, calender-pressed, or extrusion-pressed (without/with tubes) boards. Particleboards are manufactured from particles of wood by the application of pressure and heat and/or other lignocellulosic fiber in particle form with the addition of a polymeric adhesive. Particleboards are typically used for building and furniture applications. OSB is a multilayered panel made from strands of wood of predetermined shape and thickness, together with a binder, by the application of pressure and heat, with the strands in the external layers aligned and parallel to the panel length or width. The strands in the center layer or layers can be randomly oriented, or aligned, generally at right angles to the strands of the external layers. OSB is typically used for building construction, e.g., sheathing, and for the manufacture of prefabricated building elements, such as beams, wall, and roof panels. Different product-specific market data, properties, and standards, raw materials, and production technologies are provided.