Difference between revisions of "Fiberboard"

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[[File:MDF Sample.jpg|thumb|Fiberboard]]
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[[File:MDF Sample.jpg|thumb|medium-density fiberboard (MDF)]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
An engineered rigid composite board made of cellulose fibers. First patented in 1858, fiberboards were composed of wood chips or plant fibers, such as [[grass]], [[reed]], [[straw]], [[bagasse]] ([[Celotex]]), [[jute]], [[flax]], or [[hemp]]. Manufacturers have also recycled waste materials such as [[sawdust]], [[bark]], oat hulls, spent hops, newspaper ([[Homasote|Homasote®]]) and peanut shells. The fibers are compressed and bonded with heat and pressure. Many fiberboards are held together by the interlocking fibers and natural adhesives (wet process); other fiberboards have additional adhesive components such as [[urea formaldehyde resin]], [[water glass]], [[dextrin]], [[asphalt]], [[rosin]], [[paraffin wax]], [[plaster]], and/or [[clay]].  The standard size for fiberboards is 4 x 8 feet. Very dense fiberboard is called hardboard (see also [Masonite|[Masonite®]]). Some commercially available formaldehyde-free fiberboards are Masonite® Presdwood®, [[Medex]], Medite II and Iso-board (Hatchfield 2002). Fiberboards are generally classified as low-density (Celotex, etc.), medium-density (Medex, Medite, etc.), or high-density (Masonite®, Upson Board, Marinite®, Homasote®, etc.).
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An engineered rigid composite board made of cellulose fibers. First patented in 1858, fiberboards were composed of wood chips or plant fibers, such as [[grass]], [[reed]], [[straw]], [[bagasse]] ([[Celotex]]), [[jute]], [[flax]], or [[hemp]]. Manufacturers have also recycled waste materials such as [[sawdust]], [[bark]], oat hulls, spent hops, newspaper ([[Homasote|Homasote®]]) and peanut shells. The fibers are compressed and bonded with heat and pressure. Many fiberboards are held together by the interlocking fibers and natural adhesives (wet process); other fiberboards have additional adhesive components such as [[urea formaldehyde resin]], [[water glass]], [[dextrin]], [[asphalt]], [[rosin]], [[paraffin wax]], [[plaster]], and/or [[clay]].  The standard size for fiberboards is 4 x 8 feet. Very dense fiberboard is called hardboard (see also [[Masonite|Masonite®]]). Some commercially available formaldehyde-free fiberboards are Masonite® Presdwood®, [[Medex]], Medite II and Iso-board (Hatchfield 2002). Fiberboards are generally classified as low-density (Celotex, etc.), medium-density (Medex, Medite, etc.), or high-density ([[Masonite|Masonite®]], Upson Board, Marinite®, Homasote®, etc.).
  
 
[[File:23.521-C46663CR-d1.jpg|thumb|Oil on canvas mounted on fiberboard]]
 
[[File:23.521-C46663CR-d1.jpg|thumb|Oil on canvas mounted on fiberboard]]
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== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
  
fibre-board (Br.); fibreboard (Br.); carton-fibre (Fr.); carton fort (Fr.); aglomerado de madeira (Port.); particle board; composition board; wallboard; hardboard; fiber board; high-density fiberboard (HDF); medium-density fiberboard (MDF); low-density fiberboard (LDF)
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fibre-board (Br.); fibreboard (Br.); carton-fibre (Fr.); carton fort (Fr.); aglomerado de madeira (Port.); particle board; composition board; wallboard; hardboard; fiber board; high-density fiberboard (HDF); [[Medium density fiberboard (MDF)|medium-density fiberboard (MDF)]]; low-density fiberboard (LDF)
  
Brand names: Masonite® [IPI]; Presdwood®; Medex; Medite; Duron® [IPI]; Upson; Homasote®; Insulite; Beaver Board; Cornell Board; Feltex; Fir-Tex; Nu-Wood; C-X Board; Quartrboard; Celotex;
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Brand names: [[Masonite|Masonite®]] [IPI]; Presdwood®; Medex; [[Medite|Medite®]]; Duron® [IPI]; Upson; Homasote®; Insulite; Beaver Board; Cornell Board; Feltex; Fir-Tex; Nu-Wood; C-X Board; Quartrboard; Celotex;
[[File:Wood-Products-MDF.jpg|thumb|Wood fibers]]
 
  
 
== Applications ==
 
== Applications ==
  
 
* Exhibit - case construction, mountmaking
 
* Exhibit - case construction, mountmaking
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* Artwork support
  
 
== Personal Risks ==
 
== Personal Risks ==
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== Collection Risks ==
 
== Collection Risks ==
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[[File:Wood-Products-MDF.jpg|thumb|Wood fibers]]
  
Any wood product may release VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Specifically, wood products release aldehydes, terpenes, and acids . The types and quantities of VOCs released depends on wood species, as well as the presence of coatings . Generally, the most VOCs are released when the product is new . Barrier layers (i.e. coatings) can be applied to limit the release of VOCs.
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Any wood product may release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as aldehydes, terpenes, and acids. The types and quantities of VOCs released depends on wood species, as well as the presence of coatings. Generally, the most VOCs are released when the product is new. Barrier layers (i.e. coatings, or films) can be applied to limit the release of VOCs.
  
 
Fiberboards are susceptible to dry rot, fungal growths and termites.
 
Fiberboards are susceptible to dry rot, fungal growths and termites.
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Dust and chemicals released when worked.  
 
Dust and chemicals released when worked.  
Degree of “tear out” (how jagged edge is when sawed) depends on the size of the pieces, with MDF having lower tear out (smoother edge) than particle board.  
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Degree of “tear out” (how jagged edge is when sawed) depends on the size of the pieces, with [[Medium density fiberboard|MDF]] having lower tear out (smoother edge) than [[Particle board|particle board]].
  
 
== Forms and Sizes ==
 
== Forms and Sizes ==

Revision as of 14:35, 16 November 2020

medium-density fiberboard (MDF)

Description

An engineered rigid composite board made of cellulose fibers. First patented in 1858, fiberboards were composed of wood chips or plant fibers, such as Grass, Reed, Straw, Bagasse (Celotex), Jute, Flax, or Hemp. Manufacturers have also recycled waste materials such as Sawdust, Bark, oat hulls, spent hops, newspaper (Homasote®) and peanut shells. The fibers are compressed and bonded with heat and pressure. Many fiberboards are held together by the interlocking fibers and natural adhesives (wet process); other fiberboards have additional adhesive components such as Urea formaldehyde resin, Water glass, Dextrin, Asphalt, Rosin, Paraffin wax, Plaster, and/or Clay. The standard size for fiberboards is 4 x 8 feet. Very dense fiberboard is called hardboard (see also Masonite®). Some commercially available formaldehyde-free fiberboards are Masonite® Presdwood®, Medex, Medite II and Iso-board (Hatchfield 2002). Fiberboards are generally classified as low-density (Celotex, etc.), medium-density (Medex, Medite, etc.), or high-density (Masonite®, Upson Board, Marinite®, Homasote®, etc.).

Oil on canvas mounted on fiberboard

Synonyms and Related Terms

fibre-board (Br.); fibreboard (Br.); carton-fibre (Fr.); carton fort (Fr.); aglomerado de madeira (Port.); particle board; composition board; wallboard; hardboard; fiber board; high-density fiberboard (HDF); medium-density fiberboard (MDF); low-density fiberboard (LDF)

Brand names: Masonite® [IPI]; Presdwood®; Medex; Medite®; Duron® [IPI]; Upson; Homasote®; Insulite; Beaver Board; Cornell Board; Feltex; Fir-Tex; Nu-Wood; C-X Board; Quartrboard; Celotex;

Applications

  • Exhibit - case construction, mountmaking
  • Artwork support

Personal Risks

Health risks associated with elevated concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs): respiratory irritation, irritability, inability to concentrate, and sleepiness. Health risks associated with exposure to formaldehyde gas: eye and respiratory irritation, respiratory difficulty.

Dust and chemicals released when worked.

Collection Risks

Wood fibers

Any wood product may release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as aldehydes, terpenes, and acids. The types and quantities of VOCs released depends on wood species, as well as the presence of coatings. Generally, the most VOCs are released when the product is new. Barrier layers (i.e. coatings, or films) can be applied to limit the release of VOCs.

Fiberboards are susceptible to dry rot, fungal growths and termites.

Links to Oddy Test results posted on AIC Wiki Materials Database Pages for individual materials below

Working Properties

Dust and chemicals released when worked. Degree of “tear out” (how jagged edge is when sawed) depends on the size of the pieces, with MDF having lower tear out (smoother edge) than Particle board.

Forms and Sizes

The standard size for fiberboards is 4 x 8 feet.

Resources and Citations

  • Melissa G.D. Baumann, Linda F. Lorenz, Stuart A. Batterman, and Guo-Zheng Zhang, “Aldehyde Emissions from Particleboard and Medium Density Fiberboard Products,” Forest Products Journal 50 (9): 75–82, 2000.
  • G.S. Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971.
  • Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996.
  • C. Gould, K. Konrad, K. Milley, R. Gallagher, "Fiberboard", in Twentieth-Century Building Materials, T. Jester (ed.), McGraw-Hill: New York, 1995.
  • Pam Hatchfield, Pollutants in the Museum Environment, Archetype Press, London, 2002.
  • Megan Salas, contributed information, MWG group, 2020.

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