How is fiberboard different from particleboard?

Despite the popularity of these sheet materials, many are interested in how exactly chipboard and fiberboard differ from each other. Initially, it should be noted that they have been in well-deserved demand for many decades and occupy a leading position in the modern building materials market. This is due to the versatility of such sheet products. They are widely used as building and decoration materials, as well as in the manufacture of furniture. We should not forget about the financial side of the issue, since we are talking about the optimal ratio of price, quality and performance.

As already noted, Particleboard and fiberboard are sheet materials. In both cases, speaking about the key advantages, it is necessary to focus on accessibility, a variety of panel coatings, as well as low weight. Among other things, sheets of all types look aesthetically pleasing.

The active introduction of advanced technologies and innovative solutions into production allowed the developers to significantly expand the range of products. To date, manufacturers create various textured surfaces. And also a wide range of coatings is presented in the catalogs. Wherein the surface of some panels imitates natural materials.

The abbreviation in this case stands for fibreboard. From a production point of view, this sheet material is the result of pressing certain components, which are cellulose, synthetic polymers, additives and water.

Fiberboard is divided into general and special purpose panels. Moreover, the latter are:

• hardly combustible;
• biostable;
• bituminous;
• hardboard - a separate group of sheet materials with a lined surface.

And also it is worth paying attention to the currently popular MDF panels (in the English version of MDF). This product is divided into several categories based on density.

• HDF (High Density Fiberboard) - panels, the key indicator of which reaches 1,050 kg / m3. This product of Western companies corresponds to domestic panels called DVPT. They are usually used when arranging durable floor coverings. We are talking, in particular, about laminated floor panels.
• Directly the MDF sheets themselves (Medium Density Fiberboard), characterized by an average density (about 800 kg / m3). An analogue is ordinary fiberboard sheets, which are widely used in various fields. In addition to the construction industry, panels are used in the manufacture of joinery and furniture. Often, containers and bases for paintings are made from fiberboard and MDF.
• LDF (Low Density Fiberboard) - a material with a density of up to 650 kg / m3, corresponding to our soft fibreboard (MDF). In the overwhelming majority of cases, they are used as soundproofing components of the floor covering.

Among other things, the types of soft and hard pressed panels differ from each other in surface design. As a result, more than a wide range of fiberboard (MDF) is now on the market. When choosing a specific option, it is worth taking into account the main properties of this sheet material, such as:

• maximum resistance to deformation and long service life;
• increased strength;
• high resistance to moisture;
• environmental friendliness, due to the fact that fiberboard does not emit any toxic substances;
• density, varying depending on the type of panels in the range from 100 to 1100 kg / m3;
• an indicator of operational humidity, which can reach 12%;
• thermal conductivity of the material ranges from 0.046 to 0.093 W / mK.

But, despite all the advantages of a pressed board of this type, it is worth highlighting its disadvantages.

• Relatively narrow scope... An exception in this case is MDF boards.
• Some types of panels can be toxic. This refers to fiberboard, which contains formaldehyde. When working with such material, it is strongly recommended to use personal protective equipment (mask, respirator, goggles) and to properly ventilate the room.

This abbreviation has a decoding - chipboard. It is important to take into account that in some cases, chipboard is understood as wood-laminated plastics. The production process of such a sheet material, in its essence, resembles the manufacture of fibreboard. However, there are a number of important features and differences. The main raw materials are wood chips, resins and special additives.

Judging by the name of the panels, we can conclude that they are made from coarse wood chips... As a rule, the source of raw materials is substandard wood, as well as waste from the woodworking industry. The production process includes several stages. At the initial stage, crushed wood chips are completely dried, and then they are impregnated with binding components through special nozzles.

As the latter, urea-melamine, urea, phenolic resins are used. When used in tandem with paraffin emulsions, a structure is formed with characteristic blotches of greenish color, which are clearly visible on the cut.

In the production of chipboard, a mixture of basic raw materials and resins prepared and processed in accordance with the technology can be molded in several ways.

1. In one layer... In such cases, shavings of different fractions are mixed and evenly distributed throughout the entire volume of the board.
2. In two layers. In this case, the so-called underlayment is made from waste, and the front part is a mixture of thin and thick shavings, pre-sorted on a separator.
3. With two face layers, each of which is formed by selected raw materials, as well as a core. The latter, as a rule, is made from less quality shavings.

The formed "carpet" is first pressed and then thoroughly dried. The next stages of production are trimming the panels to size and processing (grinding) the ends. Depending on the type of chipboard, the entire surface of the board can be processed.

Taking into account the type of chipboard, it has the following main properties:

• the outer layer can be coarse or fine-grained;
• the number of layers is from 1 to 3 or more;
• sufficient resistance to moisture, fire;
• there are 3 types of panel density.

Nowadays, chipboards are used in furniture production, as well as in the construction industry and when creating containers of increased strength. However, negative aspects should also be taken into account.

• During long-term operation, the release of toxic substances present in the composition of the panels is possible.
• Many fasteners are not held firmly enough in the slabs. This applies in particular to nails and screws, especially when reused.

Analyzing the main differences between the two described types of modern sheet material, it is worth first of all focusing on the difference in the production of plates. For the manufacture of chipboard, waste of low-value wood species and synthetic resins are used as binding elements. Compressed wood dust with the addition of polymers, rosin and paraffin enters the situation with fiberboard as raw material. In many ways, it is these moments that determine the characteristics of the panels.

Different chemical compositions and properties of the listed materials determine the performance characteristics of fiberboard and particleboard. So, the first type of panels is thinner, but at the same time it is characterized by higher strength and moisture resistance. At the same time, chipboards are much thicker and denser, due to which they are able to withstand certain loads. This also determines the scope of application of the materials. For example, chipboard is more often used when creating floor coverings, and retractable elements and rear walls of furniture structures are made of fiberboard.

Particular attention should be paid to the dimensions of chipboard and fiberboard. So, in the first case, the thickness is 25 mm, and in the second it can vary within 2.5-12 mm. At the same time, the dimensions of the sheets correspond to the current standards. You should not lose sight of the financial side of the issue, since a "square" of fiberboard will cost much less than a similar fragment of chipboard. And also the nuances of production processes have determined the difference in the service life of materials. And in this case, the palm goes to fiberboard.

Comparing the characteristics of the two types of plates, it is worthwhile to dwell separately on the level of safety. As already noted, in the production of chipboard, phenol-formaldehyde resins are used, which pose a potential hazard to human health.

Taking into account safety, today Austrian and German-made chipboards are in demand. In parallel, the popularity of laminated panels is growing. In any case, the composition of the sheet material should be taken into account.

In situations with the acquisition and further use of fibreboard, it is also recommended to clarify the chemical properties of the components.

From the very beginning, it should be noted that a comparison of all the characteristics and performance indicators of these types of sheet material is simply incorrect. The result will be the same as when comparing, for example, soft and warm. Each type of board has its own application and in this area demonstrates the corresponding qualities. So, chipboard, in addition to the fact that they are often laid on the floor, will be the best option in the following cases:

• when erecting partitions inside the premises;
• for the manufacture of furniture and other joinery structures;
• when insulating the internal walls of buildings and structures.

This, of course, is not a complete list of current methods of using chipboard. By the way, fiberboard is also widely used in furniture production. And also these panels are relevant when decorating walls, due to their moisture resistance.Among other things, in many cases it is the ideal underlay and thermal insulation for flooring.

Summing up, it should be noted that the choice of one or another type of the described panels is determined by their operational properties and the characteristics of the structures and products being created.

For the types and differences of materials, see the following video.