Facts About Particleboard and MDF - Engineered Wood Products ...

Moisture Properties
Particleboard, like other wood based products and many other building materials, will respond to changes in
relative humidity of the surrounding air. Board dimensions are closely related to moisture content. Ex-factory
moisture content is about 10% with a usual range of ± 2%.
Dimensional Changes
The highest potential for moisture movement exists when Particleboard Flooring is exposed to the weather
as platform construction. Sheets that have been left exposed on a building site should be dried out before
installation so as to avoid shrinkage gaps later.
Consult Flooring Installation Sheets (AI 1 and AI 2) for practical information relating to moisture effects for
Platform Construction and Fitted Floor Construction.
Fire Behaviour
Fire Resistance
Fire resistance relates to the period for which an element of construction will resist the passage of flame,
remain free from collapse and insulate against an excessive temperature rise on the unexposed face. The
property relates to a building element and its details of construction, rather than a particular material.
Particleboard reacts generally to fire like natural timber, the rate of burning is similar and it does not shatter
or delaminate.
Fire Hazard
Fire Hazard refers to the surface burning characteristics of a material and indicates whether a material will
allow a fire to spread quickly. Smoke developed is also part of hazard assessment.
Fire Hazard is measured by procedures laid down in AS1530 Part 3 and is expressed as indices. Typical results
for Particleboard Flooring are:
Index
Range
Ignitability 12-13 0 - 20
Spread of Flame 6-7 0 - 10
Heat Evolved 7-8 0 - 10
Smoke Developed 2-3 0 - 10
Specific Building Regulations indicate where flooring with these Early Fire Hazard Indices can be used.
Thermal Properties
The Thermal Conductivity of Particleboard Flooring varies slightly according to thickness with a typical figure
being 0.13 W/mK.
Like natural timber, Particleboard has a low thermal capacity. Used as flooring, it is warm to the touch, which
contributes to comfort.
Within the normal range of temperature variation, Particleboard is dimensionally stable and its strength
properties are unaffected.
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