Performance Characteristics of Medium Density Fibre Board (MDF) for Household Interior Uses

Abstract

The high demand and usage of medium density fibre board (MDF) is on the increase due to its societal and attractive characteristics in the Home furniture and decorative industry. There is a need for wholistic investigation of its strength, durability and physical properties as well as its health hazard concerned. The research tends to explore the general behavioural characteristics and performance to household uses, safety caution and health hazard implications. MDF boards are mostly used for home interior furnitures and decorative purposes offering attractive and more realistic finishes. MDF has an advantage of being less-expensive or cheaper and easier to use compared to other different woods.  The MDF physical and strength properties determined are moisture content, water absorption capacity, swelling in thickness, modulus of rupture, density and compressive strength. The investigated properties obtained are moisture content 8.31%, water absorption capacity 79.5%, swelling in thickness 15.6%, modulus of rupture 61.2Mpa, density 0.6g/cm³ and compressive strength 2.2Mpa respectively. The MDF having some deficiencies as discovered being weak under severe stress, high water absorption capacity also containing chemical (Urea-formal dehyle) which can be harmful to human health, yet it can serve as an alternative wood board in most household interior decorations and furniture industry. The use of MDF board will adds value to general wood usage and also reduces environmental pollution in recycling the wood fibre, saw dust waste in producing medium density fibre board (MDF) board.