What is a Particle Board & What are its Different Types?
Particle board is cheaper, denser and more uniform than conventional wood and plywood and is substituted for them when cost is more important than strength and appearance. Particleboard can be made more appealing by painting or the use of wood veneers on visible surfaces. Though it is denser than conventional wood, it is the lightest and weakest type of fiberboard, except for insulation board. Medium-density fibreboard and hardboard, also called high-density fiberboard, are stronger and denser than particleboard. Different grades of particleboard have different densities, with higher density connoting greater strength and greater resistance to failure of screw fasteners.
A significant disadvantage of particleboard is its susceptibility to expansion and discoloration from moisture absorption, particularly when it is not covered with paint or another sealer. Therefore, it is rarely used outdoors or in places where there are high levels of moisture, except in bathrooms, kitchens and laundries, where it is commonly used as an underlayment shielded beneath a moisture resistant continuous sheet of vinyl flooring.
In dry environments, veneered particleboard is preferred over veneered plywood because of its stability, lower cost, and convenience.
Where Is Particle board Used?
With its durability and physical properties, chipboard is subjected to various surface applications, if desired in its raw form, and delivered to the end user.
Although they have various thicknesses and densities according to their usage areas, they are produced between 6 mm and 40 mm thickness and 500-700 kg / m3 density. Depending on the place of use, its dimensions and width are between 1830 mm and 2200 mm; It can be produced with a height of 2440 mm and 4200 mm.
Particle board is suitable for use in almost all areas and its usage area is quite wide. It is a product frequently preferred in kitchen cabinet body and doors, bathroom cabinets, living room, bedrooms and all other living areas.
Advantages:
It is low cost because chipboards are not as durable as plywood or solid wood.
It can be manufactured in desired sizes and can be produced in series.
Particle boards are very light in weight and therefore furniture made from these boards are relatively easy to move and move around.
Disadvantages:
Particle board furniture is very weak compared to other wood types such as plywood. It is less dense and can easily be damaged during use.
In addition to being low in strength, particle boards also tend to be damaged by moisture and moisture. This means that furniture made from these panels will not take too long.
Because of its low strength, particleboards have low resistance to heavy loads.Since the adhesive used in particle boards is a plastic resin (phenolic resin), it is not as environmentally friendly as solid wood furniture.
Particle board types:
Melamine Coated Particle Board;
A melamine particle decor paper is attached to the top surface of the flat chipboard under heat and pressure. Also, melamine resin, along with wax emulsion, is used to bond the chipboard and make it water-resistant. Sheets with melamine particles are scratch resistant. They are used in a variety of colors and textures to give a decorative look to the interior. There are various application areas such as wall coverings, modular kitchens, wardrobes and office furniture.
Laminate Coated Particle Board:
Laminate coated particle board is produced by attaching a thin layer of laminate to the flat particle board surface. Lamination increases the durability of the board. Laminate Coated Particle Board is used for cabinets, shelves, kitchens, shutters, as it prevents subsequent polishing and painting.
Cemented Chipboard:
As the name implies, cement is used as an adhesive in this plate. Particle board glued with cement is produced using cement (60%), wood shavings (20%) and water (20%). Due to their cement content, these boards are resistant to moisture, fire and termite. Cemented chipboard has high expansion and shrinkage properties in the presence of moisture. It is generally fire resistant.
If we rank among 3 products; it is used for covering furniture, suspended ceilings, interior and exterior walls, concrete floors and walls. The exterior material is the most durable water-resistant cement chipboard. Laminate Coated Chipboard used in interior architecture is highly resistant to scratches and deformation. use is long, but do not use deformed in outdoor environments. On the other hand, chipboard is a material that is cheaper, lighter but less durable than others.