Chipboard

Chipboard is a finishing and building material. Chipboard is made by hot pressing wood particles. The main component of the composite material is small wood shavings. It is mixed with resins and pressed at a temperature of 100-150°C. Increase the moisture resistance of chipboard by adding special additives. Moisture-resistant can be distinguished by color - green dye is added to the mass during production.

Chipboard is actively used for construction, repair and finishing works. Floors, window sills, wall panels, various partitions and furniture cases are made from chipboard.

Fibreboard

Fibreboard is made up of fine fibers of wood or cellulose. Wood particles are steamed, mixed with synthetic polymers and pressed at a temperature of 170°C. The thin sheets produced under pressure have a smooth surface on one side and a mesh on the other.

Fiberboard sheets have a lower strength compared to chipboard, therefore they are used for the manufacture of facades or back walls of furniture, as decorative wall panels.

Laminated Chipboard

Laminated chipboard consists of wood chips and sawdust impregnated with formaldehyde resins. Modern enterprises reduce the negative impact of formaldehyde resins by laminating. After careful sanding, the chipboard is covered with a melamine film, which does not allow formaldehyde to evaporate.

According to quality characteristics, two types of chipboard are divided:

• - loose in structure: 300 kg/m3;
• - denser and more durable: 600 kg/m3;

Laminated chipboard of the second type (600 kg/m3) is widely used in furniture production all over the world.

Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF)

Medium Density Fibreboard is made from the finest sawdust, pressed under high temperatures to a homogeneous state. The MDF board has a flat and smooth surface, therefore it is more moisture resistant and resistant to drilling than chipboard.

In the manufacture of MDF, natural resins are the binding material. Formaldehydes are present in small amounts. Because of this, MDF is considered to be a more environmentally friendly material, but also more expensive.

Compared to wood, MDF and chipboard are the most resistant to pests and fungus infestation.

Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

Oriented strand board (OSB) is a sheet multilayer (3-4 or more layers) building material. The board is made by pressing wood chips and thin chips at a temperature of 170-200°C. High temperatures are necessary for the hardening of binders: resins with the addition of synthetic wax and boric acid. In the outer layers, chips and chips are located in the longitudinal direction, and in the inner layers - in the transverse direction.

According to the quality characteristics, OSB is divided into 4 classes:

• - OSB 1. Has the lowest moisture resistance. They are used in light structures under the condition of low humidity;
• - OSB 2. It also has low moisture resistance, but can be used in the construction of structures with load-bearing loads.
• - OSB 3. Widely used material class. It is permissible to use in wet conditions, subject to bearing loads. This type of OSB is popular among consumers because of the price-quality ratio.
• - OSB 4. The highest quality material. Possesses high moisture resistance. Used in wet conditions under heavy loads. Has the highest cost.

OSB boards are used in construction: wall cladding, formwork for concrete work, roof lathing, as flooring and wall slabs.

Plywood

Sheet building material, made from several layers of veneer. The fibres of the veneer layers are arranged in different directions, which increases the strength of the material. There are at least three layers in plywood, the most common type of plywood to use is three and five layers. Coniferous and birch wood is most often used in the production of plywood. Birch is the more expensive, often used in the manufacture of furniture. Plywood has high bending strength, both in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

5 types of Plywood:

• - E (Elite) - the highest grade. Has no defects. The most expensive plywood grade;
• - Grade I (A) - in the structure of the material there can be pin knots no more than 3 pieces per m2, as well as a slight change in colour (no more than 5% of the total area);
• - Grade II (B) - pin knots are allowed without limitation; glue seepage, scratches, dents and cracks - in a minimum amount;
• - Grade III (C) - pin knots and closed cracks are allowed in the structure of the material without limitation; slight overlap in the outer layers; small amount of scratches, dents and metal staples, as well as healthy discolouration of the sheet;
• - Grade IV (D) - the following defects are acceptable: knots, closed and open cracks, discolouration of the sheet, chips, torn fibres, metal brackets, scratches and wood inserts.

Plywood is used in construction and refurbishment: for sheathing frames, flooring. Cheap grades are also used in various building processes.

Cardboard

A type of thick paper. It is made from fibres, obtained from wood, cereals and legumes, straw. Waste paper is often used in the production, so the structure of the cardboard may be heterogeneous.

5 Types of cardboard

• - Packaging - Made from recycled paper or wood pulp. The material consists of several layers. The top layer is made of cellulose, which makes the cardboard resistant to moisture and dust. It is used in the production of packaging for household appliances, furniture, food products, etc.;
• - Construction - Vapour permeable cardboard. It is used for interior decoration as a substrate for floor coverings. Also often used in the production of drywall;
• - Electrical insulating - It has a special impregnation, is resistant to high temperatures. Used in the manufacture of transformers as a cheap insulating sheath;
• - Printing - For the manufacture of high-quality raw materials are used: bleached waste paper, bleached or unbleached pulp, wood pulp. This type of cardboard has a smooth surface and a fairly high density. Suitable for the manufacture of printed products: folders, brochures, business cards, magazine covers;
• - Designer - In the manufacture of high-quality raw materials are used, which makes this type of cardboard the most expensive. The material can be of different thickness, stiffness. Has a large number of colours. Cardboard is used in the manufacture of covers for books, magazines, catalogs, as well as for luxury gift wrapping.