Optimierung des Eigenschaftsprofils von MDF

During the last years, medium density fibreboards (MDF) became firmly established on the European wood-based material market. The production figures indicate that this tendency is still growing, although in some areas a certain saturation of the market has been reached. MDF manufactured in a dry process offering the possibility of producing such boards in comparable variety and quantity to particleboard, represent a panel product which is a serious competitor for the latter. In Germany, the MDF-production was taken over mainly by particleboard manufacturers. Thus, MDF was no more a competing product but a completion and an enlargement of the existing board range, especially in areas where the particleboard was only suitable for certain purposes. Due to its manufacturing process MDF distinctly differs from particleboard and for this reason reveils a different property profile. The user has not to deal with a substitute product offering “better properties”, therefore, he has to prepare himself for the product. The properties of MDF will be presented in detail and hints for the development of this product will be given.