Large-scale production of MDF began in the 1980s. Its name derives from the distinction in densities of fibreboard. MDF typically has a density of 600-800 kg/m³. Particle board is a low-density fibreboard and has a density of 160-450 kg/m³, while hardboard, also called high-density fibreboard, has a density of 500-1,450 kg/m³. Similar manufacturing processes are used in making all types of fibreboard.

One contentious issue is the use of formaldehyde resins and the associated health risks. Thus, other resins are being introduced.

In media

Famously, MDF was used often on the British TV's Changing Rooms, leading to "YMDF", a YMCA parody.

Alan Partridge said "MDF's banned in America" in one episode of the program I'm Alan Partridge, which lead to his friend Dan's wife saying "So's that" and pointing to the video of her and Dan having sex. (Note however that MDF is not actually banned in America.)

Manufacturing

MDF is a piece of wood formed by donuts and wood fibre from softwood, which is mixed with wax and resin. This is then formed by applying high temperatures to the MDF products to create the finish.

In Australia the main species for MDF is plantation-grown radiata pine. However a variety of other products have also been used including other woods, waste paper and fibres.

After trees have been cut, they will go though a debarking process. The bark can be sold for use in landscaping, or burned in on-site furnaces. The debarked logs are sent to the MDF plant where they go though the chipping process. A typical disk chipper contains 4-16 blades. Any resulting chips that are too large may be re-chipped; undersized chips may be used as fuel. All chips are then washed and checked for defects.

The chips are then compacted using a screwfeeder, and will be heated for 30-120 seconds to soften the wood; they are then fed into a defibrator which maintains high pressure and temperature. The pulp that exits from the defibrator is fine, fluffy, and light in weight and in colour.

From the defibrator the pulp enters a blow line where it is joined with wax (to improve moisture resistance) and resin (to stop the pulp from forming bundles). The material expands in size and is then heated by heating coils. When it comes out it may be stored in bins for an indefinite length of time.

After this drying period the board goes through a "Pendistor" process which creates 230-610mm thick boards. Then it is cut and continues to the press. Here it is pressed for a few minutes, to make a stronger and denser board.

After pressing MDF is cooled in a star dryer, trimmed and sanded. In certain applications boards are also laminated for extra strength.

The Environmental Impact of MDF has greatly improved over the years. Today many MDF boards are made from a variety of materials. These include other woods, scrap, recycled paper, bamboo, carbon fibres and polymers, steel, glass, forest thinning and sawmill off-cuts.

See also

• Engineered wood
• Fiberboard
• Glued laminated timber
• Hardboard
• Masonite
• Oriented strand board
• Particle board
• Plywood
• Pressed wood

References

• Lignocellulosic Composites

External links

• Children's furniture, on the safety issues of MDF
• Medium Density Fibreboard