O
ver time, the term MDF
has become a generic
name for any dry process fibre
board. MDF is typically made
up of 82% wood fibre, 9% urea-
formaldehyde resin glue, 8%
water and 1% paraffin wax and
the density is typically between
500 kg/m3 (31 lb/ft3) and 1,000
kg/m3 (62 lb/ft3). The range
of density and classification as
light, standard, or high density
board is a misnomer and
confusing. The density of the
board, when evaluated in relation
to the density of the fibre that
goes into making the panel, is
important. A thick MDF panel
at a density of 700–720 kg/
m3 may be considered as high
density in the case of softwood
fibre panels, whereas a panel of
the same density made of hard
wood fibres is not regarded as
so. The evolution of the various
types of MDF has been driven
by differing need for specific
applications.
8. wood architecture