Medium Density Fibre

Jyothi Anna John S8 Barch Roll no: 17

MediumMedium-density fibreboard (MDF) is an engineered wood product formed by breaking down MDF) hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibers, often in a defibrator combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure. MDF is more dense than plywood.

It is made up of separated fibers, (not wood veneers) but can be used as a building material similar in application to plywood. It is stronger and much more dense than normal particle board.
y The name derives from the distinction in densities of fiberboard. Large-scale production of MDF Large-

began in the 1980s

Comparison to natural woods MDF does not contain knots or rings, making it more uniform than natural woodsduring cutting and in service. MDF is not entirely isotropic like metal, since the fibers are pressed together primarily through the sheet. Like natural wood, MDF may split when woodscrews are installed without pilot holes. MDF may be glued, doweled or laminated, but smooth-shank nails do not hold well. Typical fasteners are T-nuts and pan-head machine screws

Properties
y Medium Density Fibre board (MDF) is a wood substitute form which is made from fine wood y y y y y y

fibres in a resin which is bonded under heat and pressure. It is manufactured by a dry process at a lower temperature than other fibre boards e. g hardboard. The natural glues and resins contained within the wood are not effective. MDF therefore uses artificial bonding agents / resins. The resin used is usually urea formaldehyde, but some fibre board including exterior or marine quality board will use stronger glues such as phenol formaldehyde. MDF may be used instead of plywood or chipboard. It is dense, flat, stiff, has no knots and is easily machined. It is made up of fine particles and therefore does not have an easily recognisable surface grain. Can be obtained in natural colour in various thicknesses or self coloured. Requires sealing if likely hood of moisture ingress.

VARIOUS APPLICATION

Below are some metrics for MDF and other types of wood. Ex: Weight of MDF board. As you can see, MDF is very dense and heavy, but is not as stiff as other types of wood which is why bracing is suggested.
The modulus of elasticity (MOE), also called Young's modulus, is the ratio of stress to strain, where stress is the force per unit area placed on the item and strain is the deformation caused by the stress. The MOE is therefore a measure of stiffness.

WOOD

Modulus of Elasticity (in million pounds per square inch) 0.53 1.55 1.3 1.2

Density weight of 4x8 (in pounds per sheet cubic feet) (in pounds)

MDF OAK PINE PLYWOOD

48 38 29 33

75-85 60-70 45-50 45-55

y Medium Density Fiberboard typically has densities between 33 and 50 pounds per cubic feet while

High Density Fiberboard (HDF) ranges between 50 and 80 pounds per cubic feet.
y Physical and dimensional tolerances for MDF are specified in ANSI A208.2-1986 y Its fine particles provide dimensional stability without a predominant "grain" .Unlike most plywoods,

MDF contains no voids,

y It will deliver sharp edges with no tearout. MDF is very well damped acoustically thus making it an

ideal material for speaker enclosures.

Notice the difference

MDF IS USED SOUND BOXES AND FURNITURES AND IS AVAILABLE IN DIFFERENT TEXTURES

CUTTING OF MDF
y y

MDF can be treated much like a fine grained hardwood. Its high glue content means that steel cutting tools will dull VERY quickly; thus the use of carbide tools is highly recommended. For general shop or table saw use with decent cut and good blade life, a 50 tooth, 10 inch combination blade may be used. teeth at 15 degrees, 10 degree positive hook, 5 degree side clearance, 10 degree outside diameter clearance, and low approach angle (blade projecting no more than 0.5 inch through top of material).

y For those demanding a better cut, consider a 60 tooth, 10 inch blade with alternate top bevel (ATB)

y For an even smoother cut, consider an 80 tooth, 10 inch blade with 15 degree ATB, 10 degree

alternate face bevel, 15 degree positive hook, and 7 degrees side clearance. This is costlier and may result in a shorter blade life.

HOW MDF IS SOLD??

MDF from different sources will vary in texture, density, color etc. MDF is manufactured in sheets up to 8ft x 25ft. Typical consumer level sheets are 4x8 or 5x8 and 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch and 1 inch in thickness. MDF is also available with a variety of veneers and laminates pre-applied, which may affect its actual thickness.

MDO, particle board, hardboard, void-free plywood?

y

Medium Density Overlay and High Density Overlay are plywood products with a resin impregnated paper coating. They are often used for exterior painted surfaces. These are not fiber based products. Likewise, particle board is not fiber based; it is a solid wood composite product. Along with flakeboard and other engineered lumbers, composite products are made from wood flakes, chips, splinters, etc., formed into layers and held together by resin glues and heated under pressure. Being layered and consisting of larger chunks, particle board does not have the uniform texture of MDF. \ While MDF is a hardboard, the term hardboard is often used to refer to 1/8 or 1/4 inch thick HDF, usually containing a screen pattern on one surface.This is commonly referred to as Masonite. Plywood is made from an odd number of lumber plies, each layer having a grain direction at right angles to the previous layer. This arrangement provides a dimensionally stable product. Void-free plywood uses plies with supposedly no holes, thus the completed plywood has in theory no voids. Baltic birch plywood is often sold as void-free plywood though some users have encountered small voids in these products

USE OF MDF IN A FLEXIBLE WAY TEXURING ON THE WALLS

JOINTS of MDF
y butt - this simplest of joints may not be ideal for furniture but works very well for building

speakers, especially when combined with biscuits (for alignment) and screws (for holding strength while the glue dries). y miter - works well when using pre-finished MDF (veneered or laminated) thus leaving no exposed unfinished surfaces. lock-miter, dovetail and other routered joints . y These joints have limited use in most speaker enclosures. rabbets, dadoes, grooves and other saw cut joints - same as with hardwood.

What are the safety issues to consider when working with MDF?
y

y y y

MDF is typically made with urea-formaldehyde resin totaling 9% by weight. While most people will not be affected by this, people sensitive to formaldehyde emissions should consider low formaldehyde or formaldehyde-free MDF, or consider methods of controlling these emissions through proper finishing. Finishes that work best at controlling formaldehyde emissions are solid add-on surfaces such as high pressure laminates, vinyl covering, and finished wood veneers. Less effective at controlling emissions are simple seal coats, oil and latex paints, danish oil, and wax. Plum Creek makes low-formaldehyde MDF, while Medite II and Medex from Medite Corp. are formaldehyde-free MDF. Dust is another MDF hazard. The large amount of dust released when working MDF makes proper respiratory and eye protection mandatory. At a minimum use a dust mask. A respirator is preferable. Shop dust collection (or even a ShopVac) would greatly help the removal of dust from not only the air but also the working surfaces, making them easier to see. Goggles should always be worn while using tools.

glues to be used with MDF Good glues to use are gap-filling glues such as polyvinyl acetate (PVA) typically known as yellow glue, modified PVA glues like Titebond II or white glues. Epoxy, urea and hot melt glues may also be used. fasteners be used with MDF Some typical fasteners and their uses follow : y staples - Do not staple within 3/4 inch of any corner. Coated staples hold better than smooth staples. Use a finer wire staple if splitting is a problem. Drive at right angle to the surface to avoid bending. y nails - The same rules apply to nails as they apply to staples. Use ring-shank nails to avoid fiber raising around the nail head; do not use smooth nails. y screws - Drill pilot holes between 85 % and 90 % of the root diameter of the screw used and at least as deep as the screw

Positives It is strong, but also easy to work and is light weight. One of the most popular uses for medium density fiberboard is affordable furniture. fiberboard cabinets are actually more affordable and environmentally friendly, making this a popular cabinet choice. Its a popular art material on which paintings can be done and holes can be dug into it and sculptures can be made Negatives Formaldehyde resins are commonly used to bind MDF together, and testing has consistently revealed that MDF products emit urea-formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds that pose health risks at sufficient concentrations, for at least several months after manufacture. When painting it is good idea to coat the whole of the product in order to seal in the ureaformaldehyde. When MDF is cut a large quantity of dust particles are released into the air. It is important that a respirator be worn and the material be cut in a controlled and ventilated environment.

Thank

you